The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marked its 23rd anniversary today, as the agency continues to operate during a government shutdown. DHS was established less than two years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and has played a central role in U.S. national security since its inception.
“As the threat landscape continues to evolve, DHS is there. By air, land, sea, or in cyberspace, the DHS workforce boldly confronts the threats our nation faces every day,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “We are working diligently to prevent cybersecurity and terror threats, safeguard the southern border, reform our broken immigration system, and help Americans in the face of natural disasters. Our mission could not be achieved without your extraordinary courage and commitment. I am especially grateful to those of you who are serving during the current shutdown without a paycheck.”
Secretary Noem emphasized that DHS’s mission remains unchanged: protecting the homeland and ensuring American safety. She credited President Donald J. Trump’s administration for recent efforts to secure borders, remove individuals considered threats to national security, strengthen cyber defense measures, and improve disaster response operations.
Recent data provided by DHS highlights several actions taken over the past year:
- The agency reports that Border Patrol ended releases at the border for nine consecutive months.
- Total border apprehensions under President Trump’s first year were lower compared to an average single month under President Biden.
- Nearly three million undocumented immigrants left the country due to increased enforcement; this figure includes both self-deportations and formal removals.
- There were 7,808 gang-related arrests during this period—including over 1,200 MS-13 members—and more than 1,500 known or suspected terrorists arrested by ICE.
- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) blocked billions of malicious cyber connections on federal networks.
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 617,000 pounds of illegal drugs last year—an increase from previous years—including substantial amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
- After concerns about unaccompanied children crossing borders under prior policies, officials report locating thousands who had been missing.
- Following an attack in Washington D.C., Secretary Noem ordered asylum processing halts for certain countries and called for reviews of immigration applications from high-risk areas.
- The Coast Guard reported record drug seizures valued at $3.9 billion while disrupting transnational criminal organizations.
Additionally, FEMA has undergone reforms aimed at supporting faster state-led recoveries from disasters. In one year alone under President Trump’s administration, twelve states received federal emergency disaster declarations allowing access to additional resources.
