DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans explained

Post:	Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans
Insignia:	Seal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.svg
Insigniasize:	120
Insigniacaption:	Seal of the Department of Homeland Security
Department:	United States Department of Homeland Security
Reports To:	Secretary of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
Incumbent:	Robert P. Silvers
Incumbentsince:	August 10, 2021
Acting:	no
Style:	Mr Under Secretary
Appointer:	The President with Senate advice and consent
Termlength:	No fixed term
First:	Chad Wolf
Formation:	2017
Succession:	5th in Secretary succession
Deputy:	Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans
Salary:	Executive Schedule, level III

The Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It was created by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, replacing the former Office of Policy,^[1] and creating a new Senate-confirmed Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans position.^[2]

Overview

DHS Policy is the mission-oriented, component-focused organization for the Secretary, Deputy, and the Component Heads, to:

1. Advise the Secretary and Deputy Secretary
2. Develop policy, including representing the Department in Interagency fora
3. Coordinate and unify policy positions
4. Lead and coordinate international engagement and negotiations
5. Operate programs (REAL ID and Visa Waiver Program)
6. Lead the development of operational and resource allocation guidance
7. Develop strategies
8. Develop operational plans
9. Collect, maintain, and report immigration data^[3]

Chad Wolf was confirmed by the Senate as the first Under Secretary on November 13, 2019.^[4] The current Under Secretary is Robert P. Silvers, who was confirmed by the US Senate on August 5, 2021, and sworn in on August 10.^[5]

List of Under Secretaries

• James D. Nealon (acting), July 10, 2017 – February 8, 2018
• Chad Wolf (acting), February 8, 2018 - November 13, 2019
• Chad Wolf November 13, 2019 – January 20, 2021
• Kelli Ann Burriesci (acting), January 20, 2021 – August 10, 2021
• Robert P. Silvers August 10, 2021 – present

Notes and References

1. Web site: Selected Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress. Painter. William L.. 2019-10-08. Congressional Research Service. 38. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806163715/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R45701.pdf . 2020-08-06 . 2019-10-21.
2. Web site: Statement by Secretary Johnson on the Passage by Congress of the FY 2017 NDAA with Provisions for Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security. 2016-12-27. Department of Homeland Security. en. 2019-10-22. 2019-10-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20191022013812/https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/12/27/statement-secretary-johnson-passage-congress-fy-2017-ndaa-provisions-strengthening. live.
3. Web site: Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans Homeland Security . www.dhs.gov . 7 April 2024 . en.
4. News: Chad Wolf Takes Over as Acting DHS Secretary . Hackman . Michelle . November 13, 2019 . The Wall Street Journal . November 13, 2019 . en-US . November 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191113190753/https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-set-to-vote-to-effectively-make-chad-wolf-acting-dhs-secretary-11573659966 . live .
5. Web site: 2021-06-09. PN456 – Nomination of Robert Peter Silvers for Department of Homeland Security, 117th Congress (2021–2022). 2021-08-05. www.congress.gov. 2021-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805220159/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/456. live.