DHS Has a Fragmented Process for Identifying and Resolving Derogatory Information for Operation Allies Welcome Parolees

Date Issued

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of Homeland Security OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Homeland Security OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Homeland Security

Components

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Report Number

OIG-24-24

Report Description

Three Department of Homeland Security components—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—have separate but interconnected processes for identifying and resolving derogatory information for individuals evacuated from Afghanistan and paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome (OAW).

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 5 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	No	$0	$0
We recommend the Director of USCIS develop USCIS guidelines on terminating OAW parole and making referrals to ICE for enforcement action.
2	No	$0	$0
We recommend the Director of USCIS and Director of ICE update the USCISICE MOA in consideration of USCIS data access limitations.
3	No	$0	$0
We recommend the Director of USCIS and Director of ICE continue to review and update records for OAW parolees to improve data accuracy for individual records.
4	No	$0	$0
We recommend the DHS Secretary clarify DHS component responsibility for monitoring and addressing parole expiration for OAW parolees without other long-term status to ensure individuals are lawfully present in the United States after parole expiration.
5	No	$0	$0
We recommend the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans coordinate with USCIS and ICE to develop guidelines for consideration of factors such as derogatory information and prior decisions on benefit requests during the re-parole and extension of parole processes.