UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. government created the Department of Homeland Security in 2002. The Department of Homeland Security (abbreviated to DHS) is responsible for ensuring the country’s homeland security through its federal agencies.

WHAT IS DHS?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for a wide range of missions performed by its many federal agencies: Border Patrol, Customs, Border Patrol, etc. It also manages the Visa Waiver Program. It also manages the VisaWaiver Program. All the information entered on the ESTA application form is processed and validated by a dedicated team of DHS agents. The aim is to prevent malicious acts, such as terrorist attacks, on its territory. In this way, the ESTA fulfills two roles at once: it enables the DHS to screen travelers, while at the same time providing them with an easy-to-obtain travel authorization.

SECURITY AND INFORMATION SHARING

It can be worrying, from a privacy point of view, to provide so much personal information to a foreign entity. But the DHS (not to be confused with the DOS, Department of State) ensures confidentiality and reinforced control of the information it receives. You should be aware, however, that there is communication between the various services and other departments. For example, when a person is refused an ESTA and starts a visa application, the Department of States may need to consult the ESTA form. However, whatever the context of this information sharing, all these exchange procedures are governed by U.S. legislation (Federal Register of June 10, 2008).

An important point to emphasize regarding personal information: if this changes, you must submit a new ESTA authorization application, as once validated the application cannot be updated.