An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Secretary Mayorkas: “Our Department of Homeland Security is more fit for purpose than ever before”
WASHINGTON — In 2022, challenges of unprecedented breadth confronted the United States: unrelenting ransomware and other cyberattacks, a rise in targeted violence, Russia’s unprovoked assault against Ukraine, China’s violations of international norms, increased levels of migration in our hemisphere, natural disasters of increasing gravity and frequency, and much more. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to this dynamic threat landscape with leadership, new programs and capabilities, cross-component collaboration, and unflinching dedication to mission.
In April, Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas outlined twelve mission-specific and organizational priorities to better prepare for, prevent, and respond to these diverse threats and challenges. Through strategic investments and the dedication of the DHS workforce, the Department made significant progress on these priorities throughout the year. It also led the federal government in several of the most significant multi-department and multi-agency efforts. Through its leadership of Operation Allies Welcome, DHS coordinated the resettlement of more than 88,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals. In our national response to Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression, DHS oversaw federal efforts to prepare for and respond to the conflict’s impacts on the Homeland. Through Uniting for Ukraine, DHS streamlined the processing of more than 85,000 Ukrainian citizens fleeing their country and reaching safety in the United States.
“The capabilities of the United States Department of Homeland Security have matured and increased to meet the challenges our country faces,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “This is possible because of the 250,000 extraordinary DHS personnel who fulfill our mission selflessly, tirelessly, and with integrity, often under the most difficult of circumstances. Our Department of Homeland Security is more fit for purpose than ever before, and we deliver results for the American people every single day.”
The following illustrates some of the progress DHS achieved to better respond to the complex threats and challenges facing the nation:
DHS is, fundamentally, a department of partnerships. To better enable its partners to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism and targeted violence in their local communities, DHS focused much of its efforts on equipping its partners with the resources and tools they need to do so.
The threat of cyberattacks from adverse nation states and criminal actors has only increased, and the attacks are greater in both sophistication and number. The Department is confronting these threats through its partnership with local governments, the private sector, and others.
The Department took concrete steps and operationalized new strategies to address a surge in encounters at our Southern border, the result of an unprecedented level of migration throughout the Western Hemisphere and the world.
The Department continues to rebuild the nation’s legal immigration system, removing barriers to relief and fulfilling the goals of programs that Congress passed long ago.
The effects of climate change have been evident in the increasing frequency and gravity of extreme weather events that have devastated communities across the country. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its other agencies, DHS has responded quickly in providing response and recovery assistance to the impacted communities.
The Department has executed on a wide range of actions designed to strengthen the organization, support its people, improve its processes, and better serve the American people.
For more information on the impact DHS delivers each day for the American people, visit DHS.gov/TodayDHSWill.
DHS.gov
An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security