DHS Needs to Improve Its Screening and Vetting of Asylum Seekers and Noncitizens Applying for Admission into the United States (REDACTED)

Submitting OIG:

Department of Homeland Security OIG

Report Description:

The Department of Homeland Security's technology, procedures, and coordination were not fully effective to screen and vet non citizens applying for admission into the United States or asylum seekers whose asylum applications were pending for an extended period. Although U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deployed new technologies to enhance traveler screening, it could not access all Federal data necessary to enable complete screening and vetting of noncitizens seeking admission into the United States. In addition, CBP used varied and sometimes inconsistent inspection procedures for travelers arriving in vehicles at land ports of entry. Finally, CBP does not have the technology to perform biometric matching on travelers arriving in vehicles at land ports of entry.

Date Issued:

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Homeland Security

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

OIG-24-27

Component, if applicable:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

Additional Details Link:

https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2024-06/OIG-24-27-Jun24-Redac…

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
1	Open	No
We recommend the Director, Office of Biometric Identity Management work with the Department of Defense to develop and implement a plan to address Automated Biometric Identification System data access restrictions.
2	Open	No
We recommend the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of CBP develop a policy directing field offices to implement a process to manage risk when primary name queries of every traveler are not considered operationally feasible. The policy should include guidance to help field offices manage port understanding and implementation, and conduct annual reviews to verify port compliance and analyze performance.
3	Open	No
We recommend the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of CBP continue to conduct technology testing until a solution is identified to perform biometric matching at land POE vehicle lanes.
4	Open	No
We recommend the Director of USCIS update screening requirements for delayed adjudications to ensure applicants are continuously rescreened; implement a process to continuously monitor asylum applicants pending adjudication past 180 days to identify those who may pose a threat to the United States and should be placed in an appropriate handling process; and ensure that USCIS takes appropriate action when derogatory information is identified.
5	Open	No
We recommend the Director of USCIS develop and implement a plan, including cost estimates, to automate security checks for asylum applicants.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

We recommend the Director, Office of Biometric Identity Management work with the Department of Defense to develop and implement a plan to address Automated Biometric Identification System data access restrictions.

Open

We recommend the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of CBP develop a policy directing field offices to implement a process to manage risk when primary name queries of every traveler are not considered operationally feasible. The policy should include guidance to help field offices manage port understanding and implementation, and conduct annual reviews to verify port compliance and analyze performance.

Open

We recommend the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of CBP continue to conduct technology testing until a solution is identified to perform biometric matching at land POE vehicle lanes.

Open

We recommend the Director of USCIS update screening requirements for delayed adjudications to ensure applicants are continuously rescreened; implement a process to continuously monitor asylum applicants pending adjudication past 180 days to identify those who may pose a threat to the United States and should be placed in an appropriate handling process; and ensure that USCIS takes appropriate action when derogatory information is identified.