Department of Homeland Security Policy Changes

SOURCE www.advocate.com
The Department of Homeland Security removed LGBTQ+ identities from the section prohibiting surveillance based solely on immutable characteristics in its policy manual. The change comes after Donald Trump's executive orders and the appointment of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Key Points

  • DHS updated policy manual to allow surveillance based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, country of birth, nationality, or disability if combined with other information
  • Policy changes follow Trump's executive orders and appointment of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Concerns raised about potential civil liberties violations by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis

Pros

  • Clarification of policy guidelines
  • Alignment with government directives

Cons

  • Removal of LGBTQ+ protections
  • Potential for civil liberties and rights abuses