Ongoing Projects

To determine whether DHS' information security program and practices are adequate and effective in protecting the information and information systems that support DHS' operations and assets for FY 2018.

Our objective is to determine whether DHS’s Customs and Border Protection and Canada’s Border Services Agency information sharing initiatives at ports of entry assist in preventing suspected terrorists, criminals and other inadmissible individuals from entering the United States.

Did the steps FEMA complete provide an effective review the New York/New Jersey Port Authority's request for FEMA Public Assistance grant funds for damages sustained to the Holland Tunnel as a result of Hurricane Sandy?

To evaluate the Analyze/Select phase of the acquisition of the barrier along the southwestern border.

Determine whether the Coast Guard Academy has effective processes for reporting, investigating, and taking corrective action in response to allegations of race or ethnicity-based discrimination.

To Determine whether TSA engage in actions that constitute gross mismanagement and substantial and specific danger to public safety

The objective of these reviews are to determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Address mandate to assess effectiveness of structure of each JTF; Assess effectiveness of JTFs.

Our objective is to assess the effectiveness of FEMA's Fraud Prevention and Investigation Branch in identifying and reporting potential fraud, waste, and abuse of disaster assistance funds provided under the Individuals and Households Program.

To evaluate CBP's efforts to develop and implement a biometric exit capability and assess whether biometric data collected at pilot locations has improved DHS's ability to verify departures.

Determine to what extent CBP has a purchasing strategy for meeting the needs of its large scale Non-Intrusive Inspection imaging equipment program at land, sea, and air points of entry.

Determine to what extent CBP's Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Program can identify high-risk cargo shipments prior to departing foreign airports.

Determine whether CBP air mail inspection processes at JFK International Airport are adequate, and identify what impediments exist for effective screening, tracking, and safeguarding of incoming mail.

To determine the effectiveness of DHS' IT systems for tracking detainees and supporting efforts to reunify unaccompanied alien children with separated families.

Determine the status of DHS' implementation of the Homeland Security Cybersecurity Assessment and Strategy Act.

Our objective is to determine whether the DHS Office of the Chief Security Officer has effectively implemented a Department-wide capability to monitor, detect, and respond to malicious insider threat activities on unclassified DHS systems and networks.

1. To determine whether DHS has effectively identified and prioritized mission-critical legacy IT systems and infrastructure for modernization.
2. Identify major challenges and operational impact associated with using and modernizing out-of-date IT.
3. Assess how the recent legislation and executive direction may help to address these challenges.
 

Assess the extent to which FEMA has implemented IT management practices mandated for Federal agencies, and identify challenges to ensuring the agency's IT systems adequately support its disaster response mission operations.

To determine to what extent FEMA (Headquarters and, specifically, Region IV) is conducting proper oversight and execution of policies and procedures in place to identify and reduce repetitive damages to our Nation's roads and bridges.

Determine whether FEMA's policies for maintaining and disposing of its manufactured housing units control program costs while optimizing its fulfillment of disaster-related housing needs.

To determine to what extent FEMA ensures Louisiana manages and provides oversight of Public Assistance grants to ensure compliance with Federal regulations.

To determine to what extent FEMA ensures New York manages and provides oversight of Public Assistance grants to ensure compliance with Federal regulations..

Determine to what extent FEMA's planning for prepositioning contracts addresses identified capability deficiencies and needs.

To determine whether FEMA's public assistance grants to PREPA and PREPA's contracts with Whitefish Energy Holdings LLC and Cobra Acquisitions LLC comply with federal laws and regulations and PA program guidelines.

To determine whether FEMA's public assistance grants to PREPA and PREPA's contracts with Whitefish Energy Holdings LLC and Cobra Acquisitions LLC comply with federal laws and regulations and PA program guidelines.

To determine the extent which FEMA designed and implemented effective internal controls for the TSA program to ensure it meets disaster survivors' needs.

To determine if FEMA's deployment and management DHS Surge Force  is effective in accomplishing its mission during disaster operations.

Audit of FEMA's Verification of Household Income

To determine whether DHS components have implemented adequate technical controls, such as configuration settings and patch management, to reduce risks to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of a sample of servers and network devices supporting their financial management systems.

The objective of this audit is to evaluate the effectiveness of the policies, practices, and processes that the DHS Privacy Office has implemented to provide the appropriate level of privacy information protection for its employees, stakeholders, customers, and third-parties.

Department's effectiveness in coordinating efforts to secure the nation's election systems. Our review will focus on the Department's efforts to collaborate with State and Local election organizations to secure the election infrastructure and its related systems.

To determine whether the Transportation Security Administration's acquisition of Advanced Imaging Technology addresses needed capabilities.

Determine whether the subrecipient's policies, procedures, and business practices are adequate to account for and expend FEMA grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

Determine whether FEMA ensured that recipients and subrecipients established and implemented policies, procedures, and practices to make sure that PA grant funds awarded to disaster areas are accounted for and expended in accordance with Federal regulations and FEMA guidance.

The objectives are to determine if CBP OFO: 1) Turning away those who present themselves for asylum at the ports of entry, 2) Separating family units that seek asylum and for what reasons , and 3) Documenting family separations.

Determine to what extent CBP monitors Global Entry participants to ensure their continuous vetting and eligibility redetermination.

Determine whether CBP, ICE, TSA, and USSS appropriately report, investigate, and adjudicate employee allegations of sexual harassment and workplace sexual misconduct.

Determine the accuracy and compliance of CBP's Entry Reconciliation Program and Reporting.

To determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal procurement regulations and FEMA guidelines.

To determine whether ICE's Criminal Alien Program successfully (1) identified removable aliens, (2) allowed ICE to prioritize and remove these aliens, (3) eliminated immigration and law enforcement research duplication through Secure Communities interoperability, and (4) ensured that officers fully documented their actions.

To review Agency Spending on Conferences.

To conduct unannounced spot inspections of CBP and ICE conditions of detention.

Determine whether DHS is helping critical infrastructures protect themselves from major attacks and providing measures required to prevent or reduce the impact of an attack.

Review DHS efforts to prevent and address unethical and questionable conduct of DHS senior executives.

Our objective is to assess DHS' program management approach to modernizing its financial systems, thereby ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable financial data and management reporting across the Department.

Determine how DHS, CBP, ICE, TSA, and USSS are currently addressing illegal and prescription opioid use for employees in Testing Designated Positions.

To determine the extent of the completeness, timeliness, quality, and accuracy of fiscal year 2019 first quarter financial and award data submitted for publication on USASpending.gov; and DHS' implementation and use of the Government-wide financial data standards established by OMB and Treasury.

Determine whether DHS components: 1) are using administrative seizure and forfeiture authorities in accordance with applicable law and policy to meet their organizational mission objectives; and 2) have adequate controls and oversight mechanisms to prevent the inappropriate use of administrative asset forfeiture authority to protect the Department from reputational and other risks and the public from potential waste, fraud, and abuse.

Determine whether the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) non-criminal investigative officers meet workload requirements in accordance with Federal laws and regulations. Additionally, we will determine the additional cost to the taxpayers for  officers performing non-law enforcement duties and not meeting the workload requirements. We will likely issue multiple products.

Determine to what extent DHS components use available technologies to prevent Opioids and other illicit drugs from entering the country.

To determine whether the Department of Homeland Security complied with the SAVE Act. Specifically, review the implementation of vehicle allocation tool and fleet management plan requirements for FY 2019.

Determine whether DHS’ law enforcement officers meet investigative workload requirements in accordance with Federal laws and regulations. Additionally, we will determine the additional cost to the taxpayers for law enforcement officers performing non-law enforcement duties and not meeting the workload requirements.

Determine whether DHS and component nondisclosure agreements, including those used in employee settlement agreements, include statutory Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 and Department-mandated language allowing for protected disclosures to the OIG or other permissible recipients, and whether such nondisclosure agreements pose any other bar to the OIG's access to information.

To evaluate cooperation between DHS and DOJ components with respect to their criminal investigations along the Southwest border.

Determine whether selected subrecipients' policies, procedures, and business practices are adequate to comply with Federal procurement standards and FEMA guidelines for expending FEMA PA Program grant funds.

Determine whether selected subrecipients' policies, procedures, and business practices are adequate to comply with Federal procurement standards and FEMA guidelines for expending FEMA PA Program grant funds.

Determine whether selected subrecipients' policies, procedures, and business practices are adequate to comply with Federal procurement standards and FEMA guidelines for expending FEMA PA Program grant funds.

Determine whether selected subrecipients' policies, procedures, and business practices are adequate to comply with Federal procurement standards and FEMA guidelines for expending FEMA PA Program grant funds.

To determine the extent to which TSA (1) collects data for its Quiet Skies program and monitors performance measures to ensure program effectiveness; and (2) evaluates the cost of the Quiet Skies program relative to other transportation security programs.

To determine the Department's effectiveness in managing its intelligence information program and information technology systems for fiscal year 2019.

Determine whether DHS' information security program and practices are adequate and effective in protecting DHS' operations and assets for FY 2019.

Determine the effectiveness of FEMA's process for recovering disallowed grant costs and whether FEMA is allowing cost in a manner consistent with OMB Circulars and other cost guidance.

Our objective is to determine whether FEMA appropriately reports, investigates, and adjudicates employee allegations of sexual harassment and workplace sexual misconduct.

Determine whether FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP) for home repair and reconstruction has the necessary controls in place to verify applicants' insurance coverage.

To evaluate FEMA's efforts to mitigate the number of severe repetitive loss properties covered by the National Flood Insurance Program.

The objective of this review was to identify lessons learned and alert FEMA to key areas it should focus its readiness efforts and oversight of disaster-related activities in Puerto Rico.

To assess FEMA and California's response and recovery activities as a result of the major disaster declaration.

To identify and report on systemic issues regarding FEMA's Transportation Assistance program for major disasters.

To determine if data and methods TSA uses for the Office of Inspection criminal investigators as law enforcement officers are adequate and valid.

CohnReznick LLP ("CohnReznick) has been contracted by the DHS-OIG) to provide risk assessment and audit services over the following DHS components Travel and Purchase Card Programs for fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2, TSA, CBP, ICE, FEMA, USCG).

To determine whether or not the Department is in compliance with the IPERA Act.

To determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

To proactively remind the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of prior 50 Percent Rule issues in anticipation of Hurricane Harvey.

To determine whether Texas GLO has the processes and controls to ensure the Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair (DALHR) program complies with Federal regulations, FEMA guidelines, and the Intergovernmental Service Agreement, and to access whether FEMA has adequate policies, procedures, and controls to oversee the program.

To determine the extent to which ICE programs designed for targeting terrorism financing align with national and departmental goals.

To determine the effectiveness of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operation's strategy.

To determine whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency ensured the State of Missouri distributed, administered, and spent Homeland Security Grant Program funds strategically, effectively, and in compliance with laws, regulations and guidance. The audit will also address the extent to which funds awarded enhanced the ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters.

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

To determine the extent to which the oversight of public assistance funding by the State of Washington and FEMA is adequate and effective.

Determine to what extent FEMA ensured Monroe County met Federal procurement requirements and FEMA guidelines when it procured debris removal services for Monroe County, FL, following hurricane Irma.

To determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Review allegations that U.S. Customs and Border Protection restricts aliens from claiming asylum at the Tecate Port of Entry

Determine whether the practice of automatically terminating an individual’s DACA status upon issuance by ICE of a notice to appear in immigration court complies with relevant laws, rules, regulations, policy and guidance

Determine whether DHS agencies with law enforcement officers and agents are complying with requirements of the Lautenberg Amendment.

Assess DHS' implementation of the requirements under Section 107 of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 (Act).

To determine whether FEMA followed procurement laws, regulations, and procedures when awarding contracts to Bronze Star LLC.

The objectives are: 1) To assess FEMA's disaster preparedness related to supply distribution in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and, 2) To assess their management and distribution of supply commodities in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Determine whether aliens were given the option of bringing their children when they were removed from the United States

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Circular, Accounting of Drug Control Funding and Performance Summary, dated January 18, 2013, requires agencies to submit to the Director not later than February 1 of each year a detailed accounting of all funds expended by the agencies for National Drug Control Program activities during the previous fiscal year, and require such accounting to be authenticated by the Inspector General for each agency prior to submission to the Director.

To conduct a risk assessment of FEMA's grant closeout process to determine whether an audit is warranted.

To determine whether DHS implemented a program to coordinate efforts related to defending the food, agriculture, and veterinary systems against terrorism and other high-consequence events within the United States as required by H.R. 1238, Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.

Our objective is to determine whether the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans accounted for and expended FEMA funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Our objective is to conduct ongoing unannounced spot inspections of DHS and contract detention facilities to monitor DHS compliance with health, safety, and civil rights standards outlined in CBP’s National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search.

Conduct unannounced spot inspections of ICE detention facilities to monitor compliance with health, safety, and civil rights standards outlined in ICE’s Performance-Based National Detention Standards.

Determine how DHS has implemented computer security controls for their systems in the Cargo Areas at DHS Airports and Ports

Determine whether TSA's current inspection process effectively identifies and mitigates aircraft tampering risks and how it works with the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at foreign repair stations that TSA cannot inspect.

The objective is to determine the extent to which the Transportation Security Administration's canine program can detect a variety of explosive items to safeguard the traveling public. Our audit will include an assessment of the quantity of canines, level of canine training, and accompanying procedures.

To evaluate how TSA hires, trains and retains its  employees.

To determine whether TSA has consistently ensured adequate policies are in place to prevent racial discrimination when conducting screening of the traveling public.

Determine the risk of control deficiencies identified in drawback claims.

We are initiating an inspection of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) use of force near the San Ysidro, California Port of Entry on November 25, 2018 and January 1, 2019. Our objective is to review the circumstances surrounding the incidents and determine whether CBP complied with its use of force of policy.

To determine to what extent the Coast Guard has taken action to mitigate the risks that Global Positioning System (GPS) disruption and cyber-attacks pose to efficient, safe maritime navigation in the Aids to Navigation Program.

To determine to what extent USCIS assists in the prosecution of human traffickers and violent criminals when adjudicating T and U Visa applications.

Determine whether USCIS consistently captures the identity of adjudicators who made decisions on immigration applications and petitions in CLAIMS3, analyze and quantify the percentage of decisions entered into the system that cannot be tracked back to an adjudicator, and identify whether compensating controls exist.

Determine the extent of the expenses incurred by the Secret Service in relation to the President of the United States' visit to the Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland from July 14-15, 2018. 

Evaluate the progress on audit recommendation 2 from our May 3, 2016, report OIG-16-78-D on the City of Evans, Colorado, to determine whether they properly procured approximately $7.2 million in funds recommended to be put to better use and to determine whether corrective actions on Recommendation 2 achieved the intended results.

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.