DHS Equity Action Plan

Advancing Equity at DHS

In January 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13985 on “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” The Executive Order outlines a whole-of-government mandate to advance equity for the American public through a comprehensive approach to all government practices, including: management; policymaking (including through regulation and guidance); procurement, contracting, and budgeting; delivery of benefits and services; and data collection, reporting, and use, to tangibly improve the lives of every person across the nation, in particular, those who have been underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

DHS, along with other departments and agencies across the Federal Government, answered the call to review its programs and policies and assess whether members of underserved communities face systemic barriers in accessing benefits and opportunities available pursuant to those policies and programs.

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DHS Equity Action Plan

DHS Equity Action Plan identified seven key programs with the greatest potential for advancing equity in DHS operations and activities. The programs were selected based on input from the DHS Equity Task Force in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, as well as public feedback and input from stakeholder organizations representing underserved communities. The key program areas include:

1. Applying for naturalization
2. Accessing humanitarian protection during immigration processing
3. Bidding on DHS contracts
4. Countering all forms of terrorism and targeted violence
5. Filing complaints and seeking redress in DHS programs and activities
6. Airport screening
7. Accessing Trusted Traveler Programs