Semiannual Report to the Congress: October 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020

DHS OIG's work during this period has been impacted by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the President's National Emergency Proclamation in March. Since that time, the office has initiated critically important pandemic-related work including a Verification Review of DHS' Pandemic Activities; a Performance Audit of FEMA's Federal Coordination Efforts in Response to COVID-19; an Inspection of CBP and ICE's Ability to Manage the COVID-19 Pandemic at Their Detention Facilities and Among Their Staff, and opened several COVID-19 criminal investigations. These efforts follow our high-quality, independent, and objective oversight of DHS in the areas of acquisitions, disaster-related activities, financial management, immigration, law enforcement, and investigations. For example, we reviewed the extent to which FEMA's planning for advance contracts in Puerto Rico addresses capability deficiencies and needs; we audited FEMA's management, performance, and oversight of public assistance grant funds related to Hurricanes Katrina, Isaac, and Gustav and conducted a legislatively mandated risk assessment regarding FEMA's grant closeout process. Our reports on financial management evaluated compliance with various internal controls and best practices dictated by Federal appropriations law, including the Anti-deficiency Act. We also assessed the functionality of information technology systems needed to track separated families during implementation of the Zero Tolerance Policy and sought to determine if ICE's Criminal Alien Program successfully identified and detained criminal aliens, eliminated research duplication, and ensured officers documented their actions. I am proud of the work that OIG staff accomplished during this period that has had a significant impact on DHS operations. We remain committed to detect, prevent, and help prosecute fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of DHS programs and operations - and to promote efficiency across the DHS enterprise.