U. S. Department of Homeland Security. Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

THE BEGINNING September 11, 2001: Terrorists attack America. October 8, 2001: President George W. Bush creates White House Office of Homeland Security. June 2002: President George W. Bush introduces to Congress his proposal for a new Department. November 2002: Congress passes the Homeland Security Bill. November 25, 2002: President Bush signs the Homeland Security Act into law. January 24, 2003: The Department of Homeland Security is born. March 1, 2003: Majority of the affected agencies join the new Department of Homeland Security.

PURPOSE Homeland security functions traditionally have been dispersed among dozens of federal agencies and thousands of first responder groups across America. DHS streamlines and centralizes federal actions into one cohesive unit. It provides one point of contact for state and local groups and the private sector. The result is a better prepared America.

OUR VISION and MISSION Preserving our freedoms, protecting America ….we secure our homeland. We will lead the unified national effort to secure America. We will prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of commerce.

Secretary Deputy Secretary Executive Secretary Commandant of Coast Guard Legislative Affairs Secretary ---------------------------------- Deputy Secretary Inspector General Public Affairs General Counsel State and Local Coordination Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Citizenship & Immigration Service Ombudsman Director, Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services Special Assistant to the Secretary (private sector) Director of the Secret Service National Capital Region Coordination Small & Disadvantaged Business Privacy Officer Chief of Staff International Affairs Shared Services Counter Narcotics This chart provides an overview of how the Department’s organization. It includes the five Directorates, as well as the agencies that report directly to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. Under Secretary Management Under Secretary Science and Technology Under Secretary Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Under Secretary Border & Transportation Security Under Secretary Emergency Preparedness and Response

Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties The mission of the Office is to protect civil rights and civil liberties and to support homeland security by providing the Department with constructive legal and policy advice on the full range of civil rights and civil liberties issues the Department will face, and by serving as an information and communication channel with the public regarding all aspects of these issues.

Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Daniel W. Sutherland was appointed by President Bush on April 22, 2003. Served fourteen years with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and nearly two years with the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. He has co-authored Religion in the Workplace, a book published in 1998 by the American Bar Association, and has served at the White House, with the Domestic Policy Council, and at the Bush-Cheney Transition headquarters. Mr. Sutherland is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and the University of Louisville.

What we do… Advise Secretary Ridge and the senior leadership of the Department on a full range of civil rights and civil liberties issues Create a state-of-the-art EEO program Review matters that warrant investigation

Scope of Issues … A Sampling: Racial profiling – how should DHS personnel use race or ethnicity in law enforcement activities? Training – how can we strengthen training for DHS law enforcement personnel on the Constitution and federal civil rights laws? Detention – how can we implement the Inspector General’s recommendations concerning the detention of aliens after September 11?

Scope of Issues, Continued Technology – how can we ensure civil liberties protections with regard to technological developments such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles? Intelligence – how can we assist in the creation of the Terrorist Screening Center?

DHS and People with Disabilities A model place of employment – DHS is committed to being a model workplace for people with disabilities. - Recruitment - Equal Opportunity to Compete for Jobs - Training Managers - Internships for students - Retention

DHS and People with Disabilities DHS is committed to integrating people with disabilities into the homeland security effort - Increasing the role of special needs populations in emergency preparedness and planning - Working with private organizations who have key knowledge of these issues - Increasing our ability to communicate with special needs populations – to get them information on homeland security that they need, and to listen to their concerns and recommendations

DHS and People with Disabilities Ensure proper screening of people with disabilities at airports Ensure the Department has a vigorous Section 508 program

SO WHAT?

Any ideas or suggestions that you have for us would be greatly appreciated. Daniel W. Sutherland: Daniel.Sutherland@dhs.gov 692-4252 Claudia Gordon: Claudia.Gordon@dhs.gov 401-0668