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.

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.

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.

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.

To assess the effectiveness of CBP's current tools and technologies to support Border Patrol's mission operations for preventing the entry of illegal aliens or inadmissible individuals who may pose threats to national security.

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.

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

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 Identify major challenges and operational impact associated with using and modernizing out-of-date IT.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.
 

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.

The objective is to determine whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ensured state and local law enforcement agencies accounted for and expended FEMA’s grant for protection of the President’s non-governmental residences according to Federal regulations and FEMA and U.S. Secret Service guidelines.

Audit of FEMA's Verification of Household Income

To assess DHS' progress to implement continuous monitoring of security controls through its Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.

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.

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 objective is to determine whether complaints were made to CBP leadership regarding the “I’m 10-15” or similar private Facebook group(s) prior to recent media reporting; which senior-level officials knew about the “I’m 10-15” or similar private Facebook group(s) prior to the July 2019 media reporting, when they became aware, and what they knew about the content; and what actions, if any, were taken to evaluate and address potential employee misconduct in the group

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.

To determine whether CBP complies with the Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search Policy (TEDS) and provides reasonable care from apprehension to holding.

To determine how CBP (Office of Field Operations and Border Patrol) and ICE ERO are managing the COVID-19 pandemic at their facilities, with respect to both detainees in their custody and to their staff.

Determine to what extent CBP's FAST Program ensures only low-risk commercial drivers receive expedited entry to the United States.

To determine the causes leading to CBP's inability to comply with the general requirement to only hold detainees in its custody for up to 72 hours.

Determine to what extent CBP protects its Mobile Passport Control (MPC) applications (app) from cybersecurity threats

To determine whether CBP’s policies and procedures safeguard detained migrants experiencing serious medical conditions while in custody.

To determine to what extent CBP conducted searches of electronic devices at U.S. ports of entry in accordance with its standard operating procedures.

Determine whether CBP has adequately planned for deployment, and is deploying, FY19 appropriated funds quickly and effectively to address the humanitarian needs on the border.

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 review the DHS Secretary's report provided by the Deputy Under Secretary for Management on November 1, 2019, listing all contracts and grants awarded by any means other than full and open competition (noncompetitive) during FY 2018 and FY 2019; and assess departmental compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and department procedures.

Determine whether Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE),United States Coast Guard (USCG), and United States Secret Service (USSS) collect DNA samples from arrested or detained persons as required by the Fingerprint DNA Act of 2005 and subsequent Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations.

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.

Determine how well DHS oversight has strengthened the security and resiliency of the Dams Critical Infrastructure Sector.

Determine the extent to which DHS provides accurate hearing notices and
facilitates immigration hearings at temporary courts in accordance with laws and
regulations.

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.

To assess DHS' progress in fulfilling the requirements of the Geospatial Data Act of 2018.

To assess DHS' progress in implementing the cyber action plans with the National Security Agency (NSA) and United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM).

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.

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 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 assess the effectiveness of the E-Verify system to electronically confirm employment eligibility and help prevent the hiring of illegal workers.

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.

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 if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended FEMA funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended FEMA funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

To determine to what extent FEMA is coordinating with federal agencies in preparing for and responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

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.

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

Assess whether DHS policies and FEMA procedures for determining the responsibility of a prospective contractor for disaster response commodities and services comply with procurement regulations and provide contracting personnel with adequate guidance to make such determinations according to requirements.

To determine the extent to which FEMA's Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program achieved its goals and objectives and complied with federal regulations and FEMA policies.

To determine whether covered assistance distributed in error by FEMA to individuals and households, in any 12-month period, exceeds 4 percent of the total amount of covered assistance distributed.

The objective is to determine to what extent the Strategic Funds Management Initiative ensures that FEMA funds are obligated in accordance with, Federal, department, and component requirements.

Determine to what extent the Science & Technology implemented internal controls to ensure the its Bankcard Program is managed and maintained to prevent illegal, improper, and erroneous purchases and payments, as required.

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 whether ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations effectively managed the pandemic at its detention facilities and adequately safeguarded the health and safety of both detainees in their custody and their staff.

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

The objective is to determine to what extent ICE implemented controls to ensure Government Solutions, LLC provided qualified labor for work performed under the terms of its contracts. 

Determine how DHS, especially CBP and USCIS, have implemented the Prompt Asylum Claim/Screening Review and Humanitarian Asylum Review Process (HARP) pilot programs.

The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-576) and the Department of Homeland Security Financial Accountability Act (Public Law 108-330) require the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to conduct an annual audit of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.

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

The objective of the review is to assess OCSO's ISD for compliance with investigative standards as part of the planned periodic reviews of the DHS component internal affairs offices by the DHS OIG in keeping with the oversight responsibilities mandated by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.

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.

Determine whether DHS Headquarters is (1) complying with Federal requirements when responding to FOIA requests, and (2) responding to congressional requests.

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

Determine why CBP's actions to implement previous outage related recommendation did not prevent the onset and length of the August 26, 2019 nation-wide outage.

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).

Determine the extent to which the goals of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act (SRIA), Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Pilot Program (PAAP) were met in accordance with legislative and FEMA guidelines.

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.

Our objective is to determine whether children were held in vans for up to 39 hours, why that occurred, and whether ICE has taken steps to prevent it from happening again.

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

Determine DHS' ability to safeguard and regulate biometrics data within the Department.

To determine whether the USSS Office of Protective Operations' (OPO) current operational efforts are sufficient to ensure the safety and security of protectees during domestic travel

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.

The objective is to determine the adequacy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's plan for providing detainee transportation and other support services to manage the increased numbers of migrants seeking to enter the U.S. at the Southern Border.

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.

To compile and review audit reports issued from FY 2017 to FY 2019 that have identified data-related challenges at DHS and/or its components; review frequently reported audit findings; and quantify persistent and systemic data issues impacting DHS.

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

To determine whether TSA awarded and is managing its $290 million hiring contract with Accenture in a fiscally responsible manner according to Federal, departmental, and component requirements.

To determine to what extent the Transportation Security Administration's acquisition of the Computed Tomography (CT) 3D technology addresses needed capabilities.

To determine to what extent U.S. Customs and Border Protection canine teams can identify illicit drugs, other contraband, and illegal aliens crossing the border into the United States.

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 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.

To determine the adequacy, effectiveness, and timeliness of DHS corrective actions to three OIG reports (OIG-14-129, OIG-16-18, and OIG-17-02,) that made 28 recommendations for improvement to DHS pandemic planning and response.

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.