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  3. Headquarters Guidance Documents Collection

Headquarters Guidance Documents Collection

This page contains guidance documents that DHS headquarters components issue to help the public understand how DHS administers its statutory and regulatory authorities. You can find further information about DHS guidance documents, including guidance documents issued by other DHS components, at https://www.dhs.gov/guidance.

In general, guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract.

  • Best Practices for Protecting Privacy, Civil Rights & Civil Liberties in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Programs

    The development of a new technology, significant improvement of a current technology, or the new application of an existing technology often results in concerns about the impact on individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.  The integration of government and commercial unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System by 2015, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, has prompted questions about how this might impact individual rights.  In this regard, CRCL, Privacy, and CBP jointly established the DHS Unmanned Aircraft Systems Privacy, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Working Group in September 2012 to “provide leadership to the homeland security enterprise by clarifying the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties legal and policy issues surrounding government use of [Unmanned Aircraft Systems].”  The Working Group drafted the best practices.  

  • DHS Language Access Resources

    The following Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) materials and resources can assist DHS personnel and grantees in serving LEP individuals.

  • Disability Access at the Department of Homeland Security

    DHS is committed to strengthening and supporting full inclusion and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in its programs and activities, through enforcement and compliance with requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Below, find documents related to disability access.

  • Tips for Effectively Communicating with the Whole Community in Disasters

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners remain in close coordination with state, local, and tribal governments to coordinate and provide resources as needed in connection with preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation associated with Hurricane Harvey impacting Texas and Louisiana.