The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) repatriates thousands of aliens every year. In this review, we sought to identify barriers to the repatriation of detained aliens with final orders of removal. Our case review of 3,053 aliens not removed within the prescribed 90-day timeframe revealed that the most significant factors delaying or preventing repatriation are external and beyond ICE’s control. The two predominant factors delaying repatriation are legal appeals and obtaining travel documents. Internally, ICE’s challenges with staffing and technology also diminish the efficiency of the removal process.
Report File
Date Issued
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-19-28
Report Description
Report Type
Review
Number of Recommendations
5
Open Recommendations
This report has 1 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
We recommend the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director: Implement the use of an electronic system comparable to, or more accurate than, eTD as a source for official statistics, to improve the measures of cooperation with travel document requests. |