Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Following the September 11th attacks, the federal government altered its approach to immigration, moving immigration management to a newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2002. The present-day U.S. immigration system is managed by DHS. The agencies that apprehend and detain migrants, immigrants, and asylum seekers are housed under DHS. DHS is responsible for protecting the overall health and well-being of people in their custody, which includes providing safe and humane conditions. This also includes protecting the reproductive autonomy of those held in custody and supporting access to reproductive health care, including abortion and pregnancy care. Despite their stated mandates, DHS agencies have been fraught with reports of abuse since their very creation and must be held accountable.

Light Inside tracks the following agencies housed within DHS:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)