A recent report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlights concerning gaps in the processes used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) when handling noncitizens who are released into the United States without proper identification. The report, titled CBP, ICE, and TSA Did Not Fully Assess Risks Associated with Releasing Noncitizens without Identification into the United States and Allowing Them to Travel on Domestic Flights, underscores the need for enhanced risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
Key Findings
– Inconsistent Identity Verification: CBP and ICE do not always verify the identity of noncitizens before releasing them into the U.S. due to limitations in available documentation. Noncitizens without identification may still be permitted to travel domestically, potentially posing a risk to public safety.
– Lack of Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Despite acknowledging the risks, neither CBP nor ICE has conducted a full risk assessment for noncitizens who are released without identification. This absence of a risk analysis prevents the agencies from fully understanding or mitigating the potential security threats.
– TSA Vetting Gaps: While TSA conducts additional screening for noncitizens without acceptable forms of ID, the report indicates that TSA’s processes, including the use of biographical and biometric data, do not fully eliminate the risks. TSA officers must rely on DHS-issued documents and systems like CBP One™, but gaps remain in ensuring that individuals who pose a threat are not allowed to board flights.
– Policy and Procedural Shortcomings: Although the three agencies have policies for screening noncitizens, the lack of a unified approach and comprehensive mitigation strategies leads to vulnerabilities in the current system.
Recommendations
The OIG report makes three key recommendations to DHS leadership:
- CBP should conduct a comprehensive analysis of the risks involved in releasing noncitizens without identification and develop policies to mitigate those risks.
- ICE should follow a similar process, ensuring that risk assessments are conducted before releasing noncitizens without proper identification.
- TSA should utilize the results of recent risk assessments to adjust its screening policies for noncitizens and implement changes to address identified risks.
DHS Response
DHS did not concur with the OIG’s recommendations, citing challenges such as limited detention capacity and operational constraints. However, the report emphasizes that a comprehensive risk analysis would provide clarity on the scope of the issue and aid in developing more effective solutions.
Conclusion
The report concludes that without thorough risk assessments and enhanced policies, CBP, ICE, and TSA are unable to fully safeguard public safety. The vulnerabilities identified in the current processes could allow individuals who pose a security threat to enter the country or board domestic flights undetected.
For a detailed breakdown of the findings and the full recommendations, read the complete OIG report here.