Aninterior ministry (also calledministry of home affairs in manyCommonwealth countries orministry of internal affairs) is agovernment department that is responsible fordomestic policy,public security andlaw enforcement.
In some states, the interior ministry is entrusted with the functions of ensuringnational security,immigration issues and protecting places ofdetention.
Structurally, an interior ministry is part of the highest bodies ofexecutive power and reports directly to thehead of government. In states with a federal structure, the ministry often has branches at the level ofstates orfederal subjects.
