What GAO Found
In May 2025, GAO identified 39 priority recommendations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Since then, DHS has implemented five of these recommendations. GAO also closed two recommendations that were no longer valid.
In July 2026, GAO identified an additional seven priority recommendations, bringing the total to 39. GAO is highlighting the following three areas that warrant timely and focused attention:
- Improving disaster preparedness and response,
- Enhancing information technology and cybersecurity, and
- Strengthening immigration and border security policies and data.
Addressing GAO’s recommendations in these areas would improve DHS and Federal Emergency Management Agency service delivery to disaster survivors and communities; ensure the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency provides agencies the information needed to enhance cybersecurity and address risks; and ensure U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement provides decision-makers a more complete understanding of annual immigration detentions and U.S. Customs and Border Protection strengthens interdiction efforts. Taking action to implement all of GAO’s open priority recommendations would help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations across DHS.
Why GAO Did This Study
Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or make progress toward addressing a high risk or duplication issue, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.
Read the full GAO report here.
