Semiannual Report to the Congress: October 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018

The audits, inspections, and investigations we conducted during this reporting period will improve treatment and care of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees at detention facilities; make progress toward implementing controls to regulate access to the Department of Homeland Security facilities and systems; and improve oversight and controls for identifying and processing aliens who are known or suspected terrorists. In addition, our work will increase the effectiveness of acquisition oversight over United States Coast Guard information technology investments, and ensure Federal Emergency Management Agency funds are put to better use to improve management and oversight of disaster related programs. The Department and its components have worked with us to correct hundreds of issues and improve the economy and efficiency of programs and operations. Based on the Department's actions this period, we closed 130 recommendations issued in this and prior periods. Our work in this reporting period has resulted in improved overall effectiveness and a more secure homeland as well as improved management and oversight of programs and operations to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Moving forward, we will continue to concentrate on the areas of greatest risk to the Department and periodically review actions taken to address our prior findings. We look forward to reporting in the future on the Department's actions to address its many challenges.