Defunding US Department of Homeland Security to Undermine Public Safety

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be unable to provide public security grants that enhance public safety if the Republican controlled Congress defunds the department over opposition to US President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration, the Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson said Tuesday.

“As long as this Department [of Homeland Security] — which interfaces with the public more than any other — is funded by a continuing resolution, there are a whole series of activities vital to homeland security and public safety that cannot be undertaken,” Johnson said in a statement.

Funding for the DHS will run out at the end of February following the Congress’ decision to oppose Obama’s immigration reform.

Johnson explained that operating on a continuing resolution disables the DHS to fund new non-disaster grants to state, local and tribal governments, law enforcement, emergency response officials and fire departments.

The DHS grants fund a wide range of security related projects, including funds for surveillance cameras to detect terrorist threats such as in New York city, bomb squads and communications equipment.

Johnson urged Congress to pass a funding bill “free of politically charged amendments to defund [immigration reform].”

President Obama said he would veto any bill that doesn’t fully fund the department, turning the issue into a brewing political battle between his administration and the Republican controlled Congress.

DHS is composed of 16 directorates and agencies, and is responsible for implementing immigration policy including the administration’s executive action on immigration.