# Is the "Department of Homeland Security" a "Department of the Interior"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 26, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-department-of-homeland-security-a-department-of-the-interior/164209 "2003-03-26T03:54:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-department-of-homeland-security-a-department-of-the-interior/164209/1 "2003-03-26T03:54:33Z")
In the United States we have had a Department of the Interior for over 150 years that mainly deals with national parks, public lands, fish and wildlife, mining, geology, Native American Reservation affairs and the like. In most nations, the Interior Secretary is resposible for oversight of police and prisons, and perhaps internal intelligence and security. In Britian, this is the “Home Secretary” I believe. In the “Homeland Security Department” did we finally get this in our country? Why didn’t we have an “Interior” or “Home” Secretary for so many years when nearly every other nation had one - if this is the case. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-department-of-homeland-security-a-department-of-the-interior/164209/2 "2003-03-26T06:08:47Z")
Because these functions are, for the most part, reserved to the various states. There is not (and can never be) a true national police force; the FBI, the federal prison system, etc. are restricted to federal matters. The new Department of Homeland Security has very little power; the various states can refuse to cooperate with them, and in some cases have done just that. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-department-of-homeland-security-a-department-of-the-interior/164209/3 "2003-03-26T06:59:49Z")
> [@](#): > > In 1789 Congress created three Executive Departments: State or Foreign Affairs, Treasury and War. It also provided for an Attorney General and a Postmaster General. Domestic matters were apportioned by Congress among these departments. > > The idea of setting up a separate department to handle domestic matters was put forward on numerous occasions. It wasn’t until March 3, 1849, the last day of the 30th Congress, that a bill was passed to create the Department of the Interior to take charge of the Nation’s internal affairs. The Department of Everything Else: Highlights of Interior History > > The Interior Department had a wide range of responsibilities entrusted to it: the construction of the national capital’s water system, the colonization of freed slaves in Haiti, exploration of western wilderness, oversight of the District of Columbia jail, regulation of territorial governments, management of hospitals and universities, management of public parks, the basic responsibilities for Indians, public lands, patents, and pensions. In one way or another all of these had to do with the internal development of the nation or the welfare of its people. Source: [http://www.doi.gov/faq/history.html](http://www.doi.gov/faq/history.html) Notice the last line, … _In one way or another all of these had to do with the internal development of the nation or the welfare of its people._ It appears the DOI is/was concerned with helping people achieve their American Dream (cue the doves and the music), along with conservation/preservation of natural resources for the long haul and a smattering of other duties not fitting anywhere else. The new Dept. of Homeland Security is more akin to power and control of the citizenry and everyone else, under the guise of “protecting them,” quite similar to the OPs observation of other countries. I believe **Nametag’s** comment, “The new Department of Homeland Security has very little power, …” is not correct. DHS has a number of police agencies within it and couple that with existing police powers, the new Patriot Act, and the current Administration’s motivations and intentions as to how it perceives the new department’s roles and responsibilities, and we are now ripe for the OPs contention we now have an “internal intelligence and security” operation. One must never forget that a government’s delegated powers can be whatever it chooses them to be, unless and until a case is brought before the Supreme Court and the Court decision goes against the government. A lot of damage to constitutional rights may occur in the interventing time period, and even if a SCOTUS decision goes against the government, the bell cannot be unrung.