Semiannual Report to the Congress: April 1, 2020 – September 30, 2020

The 36th Semiannual Report to Congress (SAR), summarizing the work and accomplishments of the Office of the Inspector General(OIG) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for the period April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. This SAR highlights OIG's oversight of DHS in the areas of acquisitions, disaster response, financial management, immigration, information technology and cybersecurity, terrorism/border security, as well as investigative activities. For example, OIG reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) acquisition capabilities needed to secure the southern border, evaluated to what extent the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program for home repairs has controls in place to verify applicants’ insurance coverage, and audited DHS’ efforts in meeting DATA Act requirements. OIG's work involving immigration included family separations at CBP ports of entry; CBP’s handling of the 2019 migrant surge; and unannounced inspections of CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. OIG audited DHS’ information security program and practices, DHS’ efforts to modernize its information technology systems and infrastructure, and DHS’ progress in implementing cybersecurity information sharing requirements. We also assessed DHS’ efforts to deter and prevent terrorism or physical threats within the commercial facilities sector, and its management of Joint Task Forces resources.