What Happened to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formally established on November 25, 2002, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, marking the largest reorganization of the U.S. federal government since 1947. It officially opened its doors on March 1, 2003, consolidating 22 disparate federal agencies under one unified mission to prevent terrorism, secure borders, and respond to disasters.

In recent years, particularly under the Trump administration's second term, DHS has seen a significant shift in its operational focus and leadership. Kristi Noem served as Secretary from January 25, 2025, until March 24, 2026, when she was replaced by Markwayne Mullin, who was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-45 vote. Mullin was sworn in on March 24, 2026, becoming the 9th Secretary of Homeland Security. His appointment came amidst a government shutdown that affected DHS employees and a period of heightened scrutiny over the department's immigration enforcement actions.

A primary and highly visible area of DHS activity in 2025-2026 has been border security and immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has pursued a "secure the border" first approach, leading to expanded enforcement presence, increased Border Patrol staffing, and continued construction of physical and digital barriers along the southern border. DHS reported historically low border encounters and 15 consecutive months of "zero releases" at the border by August 2026, attributing these figures to robust enforcement policies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations intensified in 2026, with a significant increase in 287(g) agreements deputizing local officers for immigration arrests. This aggressive stance has, however, led to a growing patchwork of state laws seeking to limit cooperation with ICE, including mandates for agent identification and data-sharing prohibitions.

Asylum policy has also undergone substantial changes. In February 2026, DHS proposed a rule to strengthen screening of asylum seekers and reduce incentives for what it termed "fraudulent claims," including changes to work permit eligibility. While a blanket asylum adjudicative freeze from late 2025 was partially lifted in March 2026, country-specific holds remained. A new rule in July 2026 allowed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer asylum applications directly to Immigration Judges without an initial interview, aiming to reduce backlogs. These policy shifts have faced legal challenges from advocacy groups.

Cybersecurity remains a critical component of DHS's mission. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) continues to protect critical infrastructure from evolving threats, including AI-powered attacks, social engineering, and supply chain vulnerabilities. CISA's FY2024-2026 Cybersecurity Strategic Plan guides efforts towards a more secure and resilient digital landscape, with the biennial national cyber exercise, Cyber Storm X, scheduled for Fall 2026. Furthermore, DHS launched a new office in January 2026 dedicated to rapidly procuring and deploying drone and counter-drone technologies, backed by a $115 million investment, particularly for securing major events like America250 and the FIFA World Cup 2026. The department also continues its efforts against human trafficking, coordinated through its Center for Countering Human Trafficking.

Financially, the Trump administration requested a historic $178 billion for DHS in FY2026, nearly doubling previous annual funding levels, with Congress considering significant increases for detention and enforcement. However, the department faces ongoing management challenges, including fragmented hiring processes, financial stewardship, and information management and security, particularly within Customs and Border Protection (CBP) due to anticipated retirements. Despite these challenges, DHS, under its current leadership, is positioned to continue its broad mandate of national security and public safety through 2026 and beyond.