Brief Documentary History of the 

Department of Homeland Security 

2001 – 2008 

History Office 
 

Table of Contents 

Introductory Note............................................................................................................................ 2 

Homeland Security Before September 11....................................................................................... 3 

The Office of Homeland Security................................................................................................... 4 

Creating the Department of Homeland Security............................................................................. 5 

The Department of Homeland Security, 2004-present ................................................................. 14 
 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 2 

Introductory Note 

This compilation tells the story of the creation and the organizational history of the first five 

years of the Department of Homeland Security through its founding documents. These 

documents include legislation, executive orders, commission reports and recommendations, 

reorganization plans, presidential directives, speeches, and organization charts. Access to most 

of the documents is through links. Organization charts and select documents are included in the 

actual text. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 3 

Homeland Security Before September 11 

Before the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, homeland security activities 

were spread across more than 40 federal agencies and an estimated 2,000 separate Congressional 

appropriations accounts. 

In February 2001, the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century (Hart-Rudman 

Commission) issued its Phase III Report, recommending significant and comprehensive 

institutional and procedural changes throughout the executive and legislative branches in order 

to meet future national security challenges. Among these recommendations was the creation of 

a new National Homeland Security Agency to consolidate and refine the missions of the 

different departments and agencies that had a role in U.S. homeland security. 

U.S. Commission on National Security / 21st Century Hart-Rudman Commission, 1998-

2001 

In March 2001, Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX) proposed a bill to create a National 

Homeland Security Agency, following the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on 

National Security/21st Century (Hart-Rudman Commission). The bill combined FEMA, 

Customs, the Border Patrol, and several infrastructure offices into one agency responsible for 

homeland security-related activities. Hearings were held, but Congress took no further action on 

the bill. 

H.R. 1158, National Homeland Security Agency Act, introduced by Representative Mac 

Thornberry (R-TX), March 21, 2001 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 4 

The Office of Homeland Security 

Eleven days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush 

announced that he would create an Office of Homeland Security in the White House and appoint 

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge as the director. The office would oversee and coordinate a 

comprehensive national strategy to safeguard the country against terrorism, and respond to any 

future attacks. 

President George W. Bush’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American 

People, September 20, 2001 

Executive Order 13228, issued on October 8, 2001, established two entities within the White 

House to determine homeland security policy: the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) within 

the Executive Office of the President, tasked to develop and implement a national strategy to 

coordinate federal, state, and local counter-terrorism efforts to secure the country from and 

respond to terrorist threats or attacks, and the Homeland Security Council (HSC), composed of 

Cabinet members responsible for homeland security-related activities, was to advise the 

President on homeland security matters, mirroring the role the National Security Council (NSC) 

plays in national security. 

Executive Order 13228: Establishing the Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland 

Security Council, October 8, 2001 

The first Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-1) further delineated the organization 

and mission of the Homeland Security Council. Future HSPDs recorded and communicated 

presidential policy with regard to homeland security. 

Homeland Security President Directive 1: Organization and Operation of the Homeland 

Security Council, October 29, 2001. 

On March 21, 2002, President Bush issued Executive Order 13260, establishing the President’s 

Homeland Security Advisory Council (PHSAC). Members of the PHSAC served as advisors to 

the president on homeland security matters and represented the private sector, academia, 

professional service associations, federally funded research and development centers, 

nongovernmental organizations, state and local governments, and other related professions and 

communities. The PHSAC held its first meeting on June 12, 2002. 

EO 13260 requires the PHSAC to renew its charter every two years. After the creation of DHS, 

the Council rechartered itself as the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) and became 

an advisory committee to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The Secretary’s HSAC held its 

first meeting on June 30, 2003. 

Executive Order 13260, Establishing the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council 

and Senior Advisory Committee for Homeland Security, March 21, 2002 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 5 

Creating the Department of Homeland Security 

One month after the September 11 attacks, Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) introduced S. 

1534, a bill to establish a Department of National Homeland Security, co-sponsored by Senator 

Arlen Specter (R-PA). Following the recommendations of the Hart-Rudman Commission, the 

bill intended to unite the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Customs Service, the 

Border Patrol, the Coast Guard, and agencies responsible for critical infrastructure protection in 

a Cabinet-level department. The language was similar to H.R 1158 introduced in the House by 

Mac Thornberry (R-TX) on March 21, 2001. Although hearings were held on the Lieberman 

bill, there was no further action taken. 

S. 1534, A bill to establish the Department of National Homeland Security, introduced by 

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, October 11, 2001. 

In February 2002, President George W. Bush released the FY2003 Budget, the federal 

government’s first post-September 11 budget. The proposed FY 2003 Budget directed $37.7 

billion (up from $19.5 billion in 2002) to homeland security efforts, including support for first 

responders, bioterrorism prevention efforts, border security, and technology, reflecting an 

increased focus on homeland security. 

Securing the Homeland, Strengthening the Nation, February 2002 

On June 6, 2002, President Bush addressed the nation and proposed the creation of a permanent 

Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security to unite essential agencies charged with 

protecting the homeland. He outlined four essential missions that corresponded to the four 

proposed divisions in the department: 

• Border and Transportation Security - Control the borders and prevent terrorists and 

explosives from entering the country. 

• Emergency Preparedness and Response - Work with state and local authorities to 

respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. 

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures - Bring together the 

country’s best scientists to develop technologies that detect biological, chemical, and 

nuclear weapons to best protect citizens. 

• Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection - Review intelligence and law 

enforcement information from all agencies of government, and produce a single daily 

picture of threats against the homeland. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 6 

After his speech, the White House released a document outlining the proposed Department of 

Homeland Security. The proposal included organization charts of the department, a chart of 

major government departments and agencies responsible for homeland security activities, 

congressional committees responsible for homeland security activities, appropriations requested 

for the new department in the FY2003 budget, and a timeline of administration activities after 

the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

The Department of Homeland Security, June 2002 

Although the President of the United States may propose legislation, only Congress can sponsor 

and pass the legislation necessary to create a new Cabinet-level department. On June 18, 2002, 

President Bush formally submitted to Congress his proposal for the Department of Homeland 

Security, including his proposed text for the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The language of 

the proposal is almost identical to that in the June 6, 2002, document. An analysis of the bill is 

at the end of the proposal. 

A Legislative Proposal to Create a New Cabinet Department of Homeland Security, June 

18, 2002 (House Document 107-227) 

After proposing legislation to form the Department of Homeland Security, President Bush issued 

an executive order that created a Transition Planning Office (TPO) to coordinate, guide, and 

conduct transition related planning throughout the executive branch of the federal government in 

preparation for establishment of the proposed Department of Homeland Security. Bush 

appointed Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Tom Ridge as the Transition 

Planning Office Director. 

The divisions of the Transition Planning Office aligned with the planned directorates and 

functions of the future department, including Border and Transportation Security, Information 

Analysis and Information Protection, Science and Technology, Emergency Preparedness and 

Response, Communications, etc. 

The Transition Planning Office drew its staff from the Office of Homeland Security (OHS), 

government entities identified for transfer to the Department, such as the Coast Guard, the 

Transportation Security Administration, and FEMA, as well as from departments and agencies 

expected to work with the Department, such as the Department of Energy, the Department of 

Transportation, and the Department of Justice. Although the staffs often overlapped, the TPO 

was located within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), not the Office of Homeland 

Security. OHS employees working in the TPO were required to maintain separate files, email 

addresses, and funds. 

Executive Order 13267, Establishing a Transition Planning Office for the Department of 

Homeland Security Within the Office of Management and Budget, June 20, 2002 
 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 7 

In July 2002, the White House released the first National Strategy for Homeland Security. 

Developed by the Office of Homeland Security, the National Strategy identified three objectives: 

• Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; 

• Reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism; and 

• Minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. 

In addition to providing one of the first post 9/11 definitions of “homeland security,” the 

National Strategy also provided direction to federal government departments and agencies 

homeland security functions and suggested steps that state and local governments, private 

companies and organizations, and individual Americans could take to improve security. 

The National Strategy for Homeland Security, July 2002 

On June 24, 2002, Representative Dick Armey (R-TX) introduced the President’s proposed 

legislation for the Department to the House of Representatives as H.R. 5005. After amendments 

in Committee, the bill passed the House by recorded vote (295 to 132) on July 26, 2002. The 

Senate passed the bill with amendments on November 19, 2002, by a vote of 90 to 9. 

President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002 into law on November 25, 

2002. 

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296), November 25, 2002 

First Page and Signature Page, The Homeland Security Act of 2002, November 25, 2002 

Image Source: Homeland Security Act, November 25, 2002; Public Law 107-296; General 

Records of the U.S. Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, 

DC 


 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 10 

Section 1502 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 stipulates that the President could submit a 

reorganization plan to Congress no later than 60 days after the enactment of the Act. On 

November 25, 2002, the same day he signed the bill into law, President Bush submitted a 

reorganization plan in accordance with Section 1502. The plan outlined the time frame for the 

organization of the new department, setting January 24, 2003, as the effective date of 

establishment for the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to his own office, the new 

Secretary was to begin establishing the directorates and offices newly created by the Homeland 

Security Act and appointing Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries. The plan established 

March 1, 2003, as the date on which the majority of the previously existing agencies, such as the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration 

(TSA), the Coast Guard, the Customs Service, and the United States Secret Service would be 

transferred to the new department. 

The plan also includes a letters from Bush and Mitchell Daniels, Director of the Office of 

Management and Budget, outlining the plan. 

A Reorganization Plan for the Department of Homeland Security, November 25, 2002 

(House Document 108-16, January 7, 2003) 

The Department of Homeland Security became operational on January 24, 2003, sixty days after 

the Homeland Security Act was passed. On that same day, Tom Ridge was sworn in as the first 

Secretary of Homeland Security. An early DHS organization chart was posted on the DHS web 

site on January 24, 2003. Along the bottom are the original five directorates: Border and 

Transportation Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Information Analysis and 

Infrastructure Protection, Management, and Science and Technology. The list of direct reports 

to the Secretary (upper right and left) is incomplete. The chart lists the positions of Assistant 

Secretary for Border Security and the Commissioner of Customs under the Under Secretary for 

Border and Transportation Security. These positions were renamed as the Assistant Secretary 

for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Commissioner of Customs and Border 

Protection in the Reorganization Plan of January 30, 2003. 

Organization Chart (Proposed), Department of Homeland Security, January 24, 2003 
Department of Homeland Security Organization Chart (Proposed), J

2003 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 12 

Just as the Homeland Security Act of 2002 altered statutes to account for the creation of the 

Department of Homeland Security, some executive orders required alteration. On January 23, 

2003, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13284, which outlined changes related 

to the establishment of the Office of the Secretary on January 24. Later, on February 28, 2003, 

the President issued Executive Order 13286, which outlined changes that pertained to the 

transfer of most of the new components to the Department on March 1, 2003. This executive 

order also outlined the order of succession for the Department. 

Executive Order 13284, Amendment of Executive Orders, and Other Actions, in 

Connection with the Establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, January 23, 

2003 

Executive Order 13286, Amendment of Executive Orders, and Other Actions, in 

Connection with the Transfer of Certain Functions to the Secretary of Homeland Security, 

February 28, 2003 

On January 30, 2003, President Bush submitted a modification to the November 2002 

reorganization plan that established and described new organizational units in the Border and 

Transportation Security Directorate. 

Although Section 442 of the Homeland Security Act established a Bureau of Border Security 

within the Border and Transportation Security Directorate, it did not fully delineate its 

responsibilities, nor did the November 25, 2002, reorganization plan. The January 2003 plan 

renamed the Bureau of Border Security as the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

(now known as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE), incorporating parts of the 

Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the Customs Service, and the Federal Protective 

Service (FPS) and outlined its functions: to enforce immigration and customs laws within the 

interior of the United States and to protect specified federal buildings. 

The January 2003 plan also renamed the U.S. Customs Service as the Bureau of Customs and 

Border Protection (now known as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP). The new 

Bureau incorporated the border and ports of entry functions of the Customs Service, inspection 

responsibilities and the Border Patrol from INS, and agricultural inspection functions from the 

Department of Agriculture. 

The plan also outlined the FY2003 budget for the new Bureaus. 

A Reorganization Plan Modification for the Department of Homeland Security, Pursuant 

to Pub. L. 107-296, January 30, 2003 (House Document 108-32, February 4, 2003) 

March 1, 2003 marks the official inception date of the Department of Homeland Security. On 

that date, the majority of the previously existing agencies, such as the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Coast 

Guard, the Customs Service, and the United States Secret Service transferred to the new 

department. 

Organization Chart, March 1, 2003 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 14 

The Department of Homeland Security, 2004-present 

The organization chart on the DHS web site in August 2004 is the same as chart from March 

2003, save for the addition of two new reports to the Secretary: the Headquarters Operational 

Integration Staff (I-Staff) and the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and 

Preparedness (SGLCP). 

I-Staff was established January 15, 2004, to assist DHS leadership to coordinate and integrate 

Department missions and operational activities, including threat response and preparedness, 

within DHS Headquarters. I-Staff also took the lead on drafting the National Response Plan 

(NRP) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) and implementing coordination 

between Headquarters and field offices as part of the Regions plan. I-Staff activities were 

discontinued with the implementation of the Second Stage Review (2SR) reorganization in 

October 2005. 

On March 26, 2004, the department consolidated the Office for Domestic Preparedness and the 

Office of State and Local Government Coordination to form the Office of State and Local 

Government Coordination and Preparedness, reporting directly to the Secretary. 

Organization Chart, August 2004 
Executive Secretary 

Legislative Affairs 

Public Affairs 

State and Local Coordination 

Special Assistant to the Secretary 

(private sector) 

National Capital Region 

Coordination

Shared Services 

Under Secretary

Management

DHS Organizational Ch

Secretary 

----------------------------------

Deputy Secretary 

Director, Bureau of Citizenship 

& Immigration Services (1) 

Citizenship & 

Immigration Service 

Ombudsman 

Chief of Staff Privac

Small & Disadvantaged Business 

Headquarters 

Operational Integration 

Staff 

Under Secretary

Science and Technology

Under Secretary 

Information Analysis and 

Infrastructure Protection 

Un

Trans
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 16 

Secretary Michael Chertoff took office on February 15, 2005, and launched the Second Stage 

Review, or 2SR, a systematic evaluation of the department’s operations, policies, and structures. 

More than 250 members of the department, formed into 18 action teams, participated. The 

teams also consulted with public and private partners at the federal, state, local, tribal, and 

international levels. 

On July 13, 2005, Secretary Chertoff announced a six-point agenda, based upon the findings, 

which included a reorganization of the department. 

Six Point Agenda, July 13, 2005 

Secretary Michael Chertoff’s Remarks, July 13, 2005 

At the end of July, DHS issued an organization chart that reflected the intended end state of the 

department after the Second Stage Review (2SR) reorganization became effective on October 1, 

2005. 

The reorganization abolished the Directorates for Border and Transportation Security, 

Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, and Emergency Response and Preparedness. 

With the abolition of these Directorates, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA), the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, the Assistant Secretary 

for the Transportation Security Administration (incorrectly identified on the chart as Director), 

Director of Operations Coordination, Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and the 

Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (incorrectly identified as 

Commissioner) now reported directly to the Secretary. The Officer for Civil Rights and Civil 

Liberties remained a direct report to the Secretary, but is incorrectly identified as a Director. 

The reorganization created two new directorates. The Policy Directorate took on most of the 

policy responsibilities from the former Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning in the Border 

and Transportation Security Directorate, as well as newly created Assistant Secretaries for 

Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (incorrectly identified on the chart as Congressional 

and Intergovernmental Affairs), Strategic Plans, the Private Sector, and International Affairs. 

The Preparedness Directorate consisted of preparedness functions transferred from FEMA and 

also included the U.S. Fire Administration, the Office of National Capitol Region, the Office of 

Infrastructure Preparedness, functions of the Office of State and Local Government 

Coordination, and the new offices of the Assistant Secretary for Grants and Training and the 

Chief Medical Officer. 

The organization chart also reflects changes made to the department’s structure prior to the 

Second Stage Review (2SR) reorganization. The two lines connecting the Chief Financial 

Officer to both the Under Secretary of Management and the Secretary show that the position 

reports to both, pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security Financial Accountability Act 

(Public Law 108-334). The position of the Director of the Office of Counternarcotics 

Enforcement was created on December 17, 2004, by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 

Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458). The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office was 

established on April 15, 2005. 
 

 

 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 17 

Some of the proposed offices in this organization chart were not created as expected. DHS 

decided not to implement a Homeland Security Labor Relations Board. The Screening 

Coordination Office was moved to the Office of Policy, instead of directly reporting to the 

Secretary. 

In addition to the department-wide chart, DHS also released charts for the new Policy and 

Preparedness Directorates. 

Organization Chart, Department of Homeland Security, Proposed End State, issued July 27, 

2005 

Organization Chart, Policy Directorate, Proposed End State, issued July 27, 2005 

Organization Chart, Preparedness Directorate, Proposed End State, issued July 27, 2005 
Department of Homeland Security

Organization Chart

(proposed end state) 

EXE

SECR

SECRETARY 

CHIEF OF STAFF 

DEPUTY SECRETARY 

MIL

LIA

UNDER SECRETARY UNDER SECRETARY A/S CONGRESSIONAL & A

UNDER SECRETARY UNDER SECRETARY 

FOR SCIENCE & FOR GENERAL COUNSEL INTERGOVERNMENTAL SECR

FOR MANAGEMENT FOR POLICY 

TECHNOLOGY PREPAREDNESS AFFAIRS 

CHIEF FINANCIAL 

OFFICER

ASSISTANT SECRETARY DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF OMBUDSMAN 

OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS CH

COUNTER CITIIZENSHIP & 

& ANALYSIS COORDINATION 

NARCOTICS IMMIGRATION SERVICES 

FEDERAL LAW DOMESTIC NUCLEAR SCREENING LABOR RELATIONS ENFORCEMENT DETECTION OFFICE COORDINATION OFFICE BOARD TRAINING CENTER 

DIRECTOR COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR DIRECTOR CITIZENSHIP & DIRECTOR 

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY CUSTOMS & BORDER IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS US SECRET SERVICE IMMIGRATION SERVICES FEMA 

ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION ENFORCEMENT 
Department of Homeland Security

Organization Chart—Policy 

(proposed end state) 

UNDER SECRETARY 

FOR POLICY 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY DIRE

ASSISTANT SECRETARY ASSISTANT SECRETARY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL IMM

FOR STRATEGIC PLANS FOR POLICY FOR PRIVATE SECTOR AFFAIRS STA
Department of Homeland Security

Organization Chart—Preparedness

(proposed end state) 

UNDER SECRETARY FOR PREPAREDNESS 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY ASSISTANT SECRETARY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR 

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR GRANTS AND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FIRE ADMINISTRATION CYBER & TELE- 

TRAINING PROTECTION COMMUNICATIONS 
Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 21 

This organization chart depicts the Department after the Second Stage Review (2SR) 

reorganization and Hurricane Katrina. The majority of the 2SR recommendations were 

implemented save for the Labor Relations Board. 

 

The chart shows an Assistant Secretary for Policy instead of the Under Secretary for Policy 

originally called for by the Second Stage Review (2SR) reorganization. Under the Homeland 

Security Act of 2002, the creation of any new Under Secretary position requires approval and 

legislation by Congress. Although in his reorganization plan Secretary Chertoff asked for 

legislation creating an Under Secretary for Policy, Congress has yet to do so. 

 

The chart contains one new position—the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (full 

title Coordinator of Federal Support for the Recovery and Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast Region). 

The Office, created on November 1, 2005, by Executive Order 13390, officially opened on 

November 16, 2005, in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to manage the long-term post-Katrina 

Federal rebuilding efforts by working with state and local officials to reach consensus on their 

vision for the region. 

 

Organization Chart, Department of Homeland Security, November 7, 2005 
A

TRANSPORT

ADMINISTRATI

Department of Homeland Security

Organization Chart

SECRETARY 

DEPUTY SECRETARY 

SSISTANT SECRETARY 

ATION SECURITY 

ON 

ASSISTANT 

SECRETARY FOR 

POLICY 

UNDER SECRETARY 

FOR SCIENCE & 

TECHNOLOGY 

UNDER SECRETARY 

FOR MANAGEMENT 

UNDER SECRETARY 

FOR 

PREPAREDNESS 

A/S LEGISLATIVE & 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL 

AFFAIRS 

GENERAL COUNSEL 

OMBUDSMAN 

CITIIZENSHIP & 

IMMIGRATION SERVICES 

DIRECTOR OF 

COUNTERNARCOTICS 

ENFORCEMENT 

DIRECTOR OF 

DOMESTIC NUCLEAR 

DETECTION OFFICE 

FEDERAL 

COORDINATOR FOR 

GULF COAST REBUILD 

CHIEF OF STAFF 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY 

IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS 

ENFORCEMENT 

COMMISSIONER 

CUSTOMS & BORDER 

PROTECTION 

DIRECTOR CITIZENSHIP & 

IMMIGRATION SERVICES 

FED

MA

DIRECTOR 

US SECRET SERVICE 

DIRECTOR OF 

OPERATIONS 

COORDINATION 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY 

OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE 

& ANALYSIS 

DIRECTOR OF 

FEDERAL LAW 

ENFORCEMENT 

TRAINING CENTER 

CHIEF FINANCIAL 

OFFICER 
 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 23 

Although the 2SR reorganization and FY2006 Appropriations Act placed FEMA closer to the 

Secretary, with the abolition of the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, 

the agency lacked a Senate-confirmed officer at its head. The July 2006 organization chart 

reflects the April 2006 reorganization by Secretary Michael Chertoff that created the position of 

the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management, who also served as the Director of 

FEMA. 

Organization Chart, Department of Homeland Security, July 2006 
UNDER SECRETARY UNDER SECRETARY SCIENCE & MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY 

CHIEF FINANCIAL 

OFFICER 

DIRECTOR

FEDERAL LAW 

ENFORCEMENT 

TRAINING CENTER

ASSISTANT SECRETARY COMMISSIONER 

Department of Homeland Security

Organization Chart

ASSISTANT 

SECRETARY

POLICY

ASSISTANT SECRETARY 

OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE 

& ANALYSIS 

DIRECTOR 

DOMESTIC NUCLEAR 

DETECTION OFFICE

DIRECTOR 

EXE

SECR

SECRETARY 

CHIEF OF STAFF 

DEPUTY SECRETARY 

MIL

LIA

ASSISTANT SECRETARY A

UNDER SECRETARY LEGISLATIVE & GENERAL COUNSEL SECR

PREPAREDNESS INTERGOVERNMENTAL 

AFFAIRS 

DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OMBUDSMAN 

OPERATIONS COUNTERNARCOTICS CITIIZENSHIP & PRIV

COORDINATION ENFORCEMENT IMMIGRATION SERVICES 

FEDERAL 

COORDINATOR GULF 

COAST REBUILD

UNDER SECR

ASSISTANT SECRETARY DIRECTOR CITIZENSHIP & FEDERAL EME

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY CUSTOMS & BORDER IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS US SECRET SERVICE IMMIGRATION SERVICES MANAGEM

ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION ENFORCEMENT DIRECTOR
Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 25 

On October 4, 2006, as part of the Homeland Security FY2007 Appropriations Bill (Public Law 

109-295), the President signed into law the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act. The Act 

established new leadership positions within the Department, brought additional functions into 

the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and created and reallocated functions 

within the Department. 

Specifically, the Act renamed the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management as the 

Administrator of FEMA and elevated the position to the deputy secretary level. The 

Administrator was designated the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security 

Council, and the Secretary for all matters relating to emergency management and can be 

designated by the President to serve as a member of the Cabinet in the event of disasters. FEMA 

was legislatively protected as a distinct entity in the Department and is subject to reorganization 

only by statute. 

The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act transferred to FEMA all functions of the 

Preparedness Directorate, including the Office of Grants and Training, the United States Fire 

Administration (USFA), and the Office of National Capital Region Coordination. The Office of 

Infrastructure Protection, the National Communications System, the National Cybersecurity 

Division, and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer remained in the Preparedness Directorate. 

On October 13, 2006, Congress passed the Security Accountability for Every Port Act, or SAFE 

Port Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-347). The act authorized the Domestic Nuclear Detection 

Office (DNDO) and completed the reorganization of FEMA, transferring the Radiological 

Preparedness Program and the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program to FEMA. 

Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, October 4, 2006 

Security Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 (SAFE Port Act), October 13, 2006 

To implement and complement the changes in FEMA mandated by the Post-Katrina 

Management Reform Act of 2006 and the SAFE Port Act of 2006, the Department reorganized 

FEMA and made other organizational changes. 

The reorganization placed national preparedness functions formerly in the Preparedness 

Directorate and legacy FEMA preparedness programs, except those within the U.S. Fire 

Administration, in a new National Preparedness Division in FEMA, which became responsible 

for policy, contingency planning, exercise coordination and evaluation, emergency management 

training, and hazard mitigation. Both disaster and non-disaster grant programs within FEMA 

were co-located within a Grant Program Directorate. 

The Preparedness Directorate was renamed the National Protection and Programs Directorate 

(NPPD) and retained some Preparedness elements not transferred to FEMA, including the Office 

of Infrastructure Protection; the Office of Cyber Security and Telecommunications combined 

with National Communications System and new Office of Emergency Communications and 

renamed the Office of Cyber Security and Communications; and the Office for State and Local 

Government Coordination, renamed the Office of Intergovernmental Programs. Additionally 

the new Directorate contains US-VISIT and the Office of Risk Management and Analysis, 

formerly a part of the Office of Infrastructure Protection. 
Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 26 

The Chief Medical Officer did not transfer to the National Protection and Programs Division; 

instead, the reorganization created a new Office of Health Affairs led by an Assistant 

Secretary/Chief Medical Officer. 

The changes to the Department became effective on March 31, 2007. 

Organization Chart, Department of Homeland Security, Proposed End State for March 31, 

2007 

Organization Chart, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Proposed End State for 

March 31, 2007 

Organization Chart, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Proposed End State for 

March 31, 2007 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURIT

SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY

Under Secretary 

NATIONAL PROTECTION 

& PROGRAMS 

Under Secretary 

POLICY 

Assistant Secretary 

LEGISLATIVE AF

Assistant Secr

GENERAL COUNSEL 

CITIZENSHIP &

IMMIGRATION

SERVICES

OMBUDSMAN 

HEALTH AFFAIRS 

Assistant Secretary/

 Chief Medical Officer 

INTELLIGENCE &

ANALYSIS

Assistant Secretary 

OPERATIONS

COORDINATION

Director 

CHIEF PRIVA

OFFICER

FEDERAL LAW

ENFORCEMENT

TRAINING CENTER

Director 

DOMESTIC NUCLEAR 

DETECTION OFFICE

Director 

SECRETARY 

________________ 

DEPUTY SECRETARY 

MANAGEMENT Under Secretary 

Chief Financial 

Officer 

TRANSPORTATION 

SECURITY 

ADMINISTRATION 

Assistant Secretary / 

Administrator 

U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER 

PROTECTION 

Commissioner 

U.S. SECRET SERVICE 

Director 

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & 

IMMIGRATION SERVICES 

Director 

U.S. IMMIGRATION & 

CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT 

Assistant Secretary 

Chief of Staff 


30 

 

 

The Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53) 

was enacted on August 7, 2007. The Act built on the Post-Katrina Emergency Management 

Reform Act of 2006, focusing on the reorganization of the grant process as administered by 

FEMA. The Act also reorganized intelligence operations at the Department, elevating the 

Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to the Under Secretary level, requiring Senate 

confirmation. 

A series of organization charts updated on November 7, 2007, and released on November 29, 

2007, reflects the new Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and a subsequent 

reorganization of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Alterations have also been made to 

reflect new or modified deputy positions designed to increase the presence of career executives 

in Department leadership: Deputy Under Secretaries in the Management and Science and 

Technology Directorates, a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Legislative Affairs, and a 

Deputy Director in the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. Additionally, there were other 

organizational changes in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Domestic 

Nuclear Detection Office. 

Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, August 7, 2007 

 

Organization Chart, Department of Homeland Security, November 29, 2007 

Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 
I 

MANAGEMENT
 

Under Secretary
 

Chief Financial
 

Officer
 

I 

TRANSPORTATION
 

SECURITY
 

ADMINISTRATION
 

Assistant Secretary I 

Administrator 

. Under Secretary for 

Approved4/1/2007 

u.s. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

Executive SECRETARY 

Secretariat 

Chief of Staff I

--r DEPUTYSECRETARY 

MilitaryAdvisor I 

T I I I I 

SCIENCE & NATIONAL PROTECTION POLICY LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

TECHNOLOGY & PROGRAMS GENERAL COUNSEL 

Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Under Secretary Under Secretary 

I I I I I 

CITIZENSHIP & HEALTH AFFAIRS INTELLIGENCE & OPERATIONS CIVIL RIGHTS & CIVIL IMMIGRATION CHIEF PRIVACY ANALYSIS COORDINATION LIBERTIES Assistant Secretaryl SERVICES OFFICER Chief Medical Officer Under Secretary' Director Officer OMBUDSMAN 

I 

FEDERAL LAW DOMESTIC NUCLEAR ENFORCEMENT DETECTION OFFICE TRAINING CENTER Director Director 

I I I I 

U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER U.S. CITIZENSHIP & U.S. IMMIGRATION & FEDERAL EMERGENCY U.S. SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION IMMIGRATION SERVICES CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT AGENCY Director Commissioner Director Assistant Secretary Administrator 

Intelligence & Analysis title created by Public Law 110-53. Aug. 3'd, 2007 

I 

INSPECTOR GENERAL 

I 

COUNTERNARCOTICS
 

ENFORCEMENT
 

Director
 

I 

U.S. COAST GUARD 

Commandant 
Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 32 

The most recent organizational change made to the Department of Homeland Security was the 

addition of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). On January 8, 2008, President Bush 

issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23 (HSPD-23), creating NCSC, which is 

responsible for coordinating cybersecurity efforts and improving situational awareness and 

information sharing across the federal government. 

Organization Chart, Department of Homeland Security, March 2008 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

SECRETARY 

________________ 

DEPUTY SECRETARY 

HEALTH AFFAIRS 

Assistant Secretary/

 Chief Medical Officer 

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS 

Assistant Secretary 

INTELLIGENCE & 

ANALYSIS 

Under Secretary* 

POLICY 

Assistant Secretary 

PUBLIC AFFA

Assistant Secre

CHIEF PRIVACY 

OFFICER 

FEDERAL LAW 

ENFORCEMENT 

TRAINING CENTER 

Director 

OPERATIONS 

COORDINATION 

Director 

GENERAL COUNSEL 

CIVIL RIGHTS & 

LIBERTIES 

Officer 

CITIZENSHIP & 

IMMIGRATION 

SERVICES 

OMBUDSMAN 

MANAGEMENT Under Secretary 

NATIONAL PROTECTION 

& PROGRAMS 

Under Secretary 

SCIENCE & 

TECHNOLOGY 

Under Secretary 

DOMESTIC NUCLEAR 

DETECTION OFFICE 

Director 

Chief Financial 

Officer 

TRANSPORTATION 

SECURITY 

ADMINISTRATION 

Assistant Secretary / 

Administrator 

U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER 

PROTECTION 

Commissioner 

U.S. SECRET SERVICE 

Director 

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & 

IMMIGRATION SERVICES 

Director 

U.S. IMMIGRATION & 

CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT 

Assistant Secretary 

FEDERAL EMERGENCY 

MANAGEMENT AGENCY 

Administrator 

Chief of Staff 

NATIONAL 

CYBER SECURITY 

CENTER 

Director 

Executive 

Secretariat 

Military Advisor 

* Under Secretary for Intelligence & Analysis title created by Public Law 110-53, Aug. 3rd, 2007 

Approved 3/20/2008 
Brief Documentary History of the Department of Homeland Security: 2001-2008 

 

34 

Department of Homeland Security History Office, 2008
 

Written by Elizabeth C. Borja, History Associates Incorporated