What Is the Homeland Security Escalation Process?

Homeland Security has a procedure for escalating the terrorist threat level.

Created in 2002, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security guards the nation against terrorism, works to secure national borders and enforces immigration laws. A well-known feature of the department is a color-coded advisory system that summarizes the risk of terrorist attacks. The department has procedures for escalating the threat level, when necessary.

Features

Colors in the threat level system are green, low risk; blue, guarded risk; yellow, elevated risk; orange, high risk; and red, severe risk.

Identification

According to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3, which created the Homeland Security advisory system, the attorney general assigns the threat level and decides whether to escalate.

Considerations

The attorney general assigns the threat level in consultation with the head of Homeland Security. The attorney general also must seek the views of other Homeland Security officials before assigning or escalating the threat level.

Warning

Before deciding to escalate the Homeland Security threat level, the attorney general must consider whether information suggesting a heightened terrorist threat is credible, corroborated and imminent.

Effects

A given threat level triggers a set of protective measures associated with that level. Federal departments and agencies under Homeland Security are responsible for implementing these actions.

References

• Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3: Homeland Security Advisory System

Resources

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security