<P> Whereas the Department of Defense is charged with military actions abroad , the Department of Homeland Security works in the civilian sphere to protect the United States within , at , and outside its borders . Its stated goal is to prepare for , prevent , and respond to domestic emergencies , particularly terrorism . On March 1 , 2003 , DHS absorbed the Immigration and Naturalization Service ( INS ) and assumed its duties . In doing so , it divided the enforcement and services functions into two separate and new agencies : Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services . The investigative divisions and intelligence gathering units of the INS and Customs Service were merged forming Homeland Security Investigations . Additionally , the border enforcement functions of the INS , including the U.S. Border Patrol , the U.S. Customs Service , and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were consolidated into a new agency under DHS : U.S. Customs and Border Protection . The Federal Protective Service falls under the National Protection and Programs Directorate . </P>
<P> Whereas the Department of Defense is charged with military actions abroad , the Department of Homeland Security works in the civilian sphere to protect the United States within , at , and outside its borders . Its stated goal is to prepare for , prevent , and respond to domestic emergencies , particularly terrorism . On March 1 , 2003 , DHS absorbed the Immigration and Naturalization Service ( INS ) and assumed its duties . In doing so , it divided the enforcement and services functions into two separate and new agencies : Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services . The investigative divisions and intelligence gathering units of the INS and Customs Service were merged forming Homeland Security Investigations . Additionally , the border enforcement functions of the INS , including the U.S. Border Patrol , the U.S. Customs Service , and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were consolidated into a new agency under DHS : U.S. Customs and Border Protection . The Federal Protective Service falls under the National Protection and Programs Directorate . </P>
under our form of government ( the u.s. ) which branch is responsible for law enforcement
under our form of government ( the u.s. ) which branch is responsible for law enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Homeland Security