What key legal authority empowers DHS to regulate border security and immigration operations?

• A. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Homeland Security Act authorities.
• B. National Security Act authority.
• C. Patriot Act authority.
• D. Osborne Act.

Answer: (A)

Border security and immigration enforcement are grounded in the Immigration and Nationality Act, with the Homeland Security Act providing the structure that created DHS and assigned those missions to it. The INA lays out who may enter or stay, how removals are handled, and the enforcement framework, while the Homeland Security Act unified border agencies under DHS so they can carry out those statutory duties. Together they give DHS the authority to regulate border security and immigration operations across ports of entry, the interior, and related activities. The National Security Act deals with the organization of the intelligence community, the Patriot Act expands certain anti-terrorism powers, and the Osborne Act is not the basis for DHS’s immigration and border duties, making the first option the correct foundation.