Department of Homeland Security

In reviewing the circumstances surrounding the childbirth at the Chula Vista station, we found Border Patrol provided adequate medical assistance to the mother and her newborn and complied with applicable policies. We made four recommendations to improve CBP’s processes for tracking detainee...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) needs better oversight and policy to adequately safeguard migrants experiencing medical emergencies or illnesses along the southwest border. CBP concurred with all three of our recommendations, which when implemented, should improve medical attention and...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) CBP did not always protect Mobile Passport Control (MPC) applications (apps) from cybersecurity threats. We made eight recommendations that, when implemented, should improve the security of CBP’s MPC program. CBP concurred with all eight recommendations.

During our unannounced inspection of Adams in Natchez, Mississippi, we identified violations of ICE detention standards that threatened the health, safety, and rights of detainees. We made seven recommendations to ICE’s Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to...

DHS issued notices to appear (NTA), to MPP participants that were mostly accurate and in accordance with laws and regulations. However, some NTAs were completed inaccurately. We made one recommendation to improve the accuracy and completeness of NTAs issued to MPP participants. CBP non-concurred...

In reviewing 16 contract files, we found files that did not have relevant Federal tax information, were missing information on the contractor’s past performance evaluations, and contained incomplete and inconsistent documentation. We attribute these deficiencies to FEMA not providing guidance on...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has not prioritized compliance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). According to FEMA officials, the agency has instead focused on immediate needs of disaster operations and other high- profile initiatives necessary to carry out its...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) with the Texas General Land Office (TxGLO) was appropriate to ensure direct housing assistance program compliance with applicable laws and regulations. However, FEMA initiated the IGSA without first...

The Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) followed applicable laws, regulations, and guidance in its efforts to provide funding for reconstruction of the Vieques’ Community Health Center. FEMA’s assessment of the funding needs for the project is complete and $39,569,695 (Federal share) was obligated...

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not adequately identify and track human trafficking crimes. Specifically, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) did not accurately track dissemination and receipt of human trafficking tips, did not consistently take follow-up actions on tips...