TOPICS
TOPICS
Immigration, customs agencies still struggling to coordinate efforts
The Homeland Security Department's immigration- and customs-related agencies struggle with internal communication problems that in some cases may interfere with efforts to protect the country, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
DHS, which was created by the 2002 Homeland Security Act, oversees the immigration duties formerly handled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which had long been plagued by management problems. DHS also took over responsibility for U.S. Customs operations from the Treasury Department. DHS now handles customs and immigration through three agencies: Customs and Border Protection, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The report (GAO-05-81) concluded that while most field officials say there is good or excellent communication and coordination, integration of immigration and customs responsibilities has still caused confusion. Field officials told GAO that they are unclear about their roles and responsibilities, and that in some cases lack of communication prevents officials from doing their job.
"We found in our field work that there wasn't enough [communication] for the organizational components to work well together," said Richard Stana, GAO's director for homeland security and justice issues.
In addition, the report found that the agency is hampered by pay disparities and officials on the same team who are based in different places. GAO said that DHS also suffers from delays in issuing badges and uniforms, as well as technical problems with travel, budget and payroll.
In a letter attached to the report, Anna Dixon, the department's GAO liaison, pointed out that DHS encourages communication between field officers and headquarters management through an ombudsman and town hall meetings, among other efforts. She also said that DHS has made significant progress toward clearly defining policies and procedures, in part by issuing a field manual.
"It's one thing to have a handbook; it's another to have the handbook clearly understood and subscribed to by the rank and file," Stana said. He added that large transitions, such as the one DHS is going through, can take up to seven years to complete, and that GAO will be watching closely.
"The mission of DHS is critical to the safety of Americans. If things don't work right for DHS, it could have serious consequences for the country, so we want them to work as quickly and as efficiently as they can," Stana said.
DHS has been on GAO's high-risk list since 2003, the year it was formed. The list includes federal agencies and programs vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement.
COMMENTS
- I am a legacy INS Senior Special Agent and yes, I was one before the merger. I have been an agent for 15+ years and have worked a large number of criminal cases, more than any USCS agent will ever work. I, for one, want to apologize to all the USCS agents for this merger ruining the scam you guys were running on the American people. I have been located in the legacy USCS office for almost a year now and I just love watching everyone come strolling into the office at 10am. I know INS has a bunch of slackers, but you USCS guys out do us. In INS, maybe 2 or 3 guys per unit worked major criminal cases with the other agents in a support role. As far as I can see (and I’ve been on the inside looking hard) each of the USCS groups is lucky to have one agent able to work as a “major” (read criminal) case agent. Most of the agents just steal cases from CBP or the state and locals, much like the FBI. Let’s not even talk about the scam with the state and locals getting overtime to do your work. I agree that ICE got horrible administrative support. But, I’d like to note that your savior, Bonner, stole all the good stuff and left you guys with crap. I hope you USCS dudes get your wish and we separate again. I just hope you capture that major fake Pokemon card ring or seize that kilo of heroin (that EVERY other LEA in the US can seize) before the world falls apart. Oh yeah, I forgot, you guys don’t work meaningful cases. Let the legacy INS agents catch the terrorists. GovExec.com reader Posted October 27, 2004 8:52 PM
- As for the INS agents who have actually been attempting to argue that the INS was better than Customs, or that the quality of INS work and/or the quality of INS agents is better than Customs, I can settle this debate quite easily. How many special agents from Customs left in order to go the INS (or any other agency for that matter)? Answer: Virtually none. And how many special agents from the INS left in order to go to Customs (or another agency)? Answer: A boatload. The INS was notorious for one of the highest turnover rates in the federal government, whereas almost no agents ever left the U.S. Customs Service. In addition, it was also much harder to get hired by Customs than by the INS. There's a legacy INS agent a friend of mine used to work with who actually passed his background exam with two D.W.I. convictions. This is probably just one of many of such examples. If the INS was so great, why did they have such incredibly low standards (they hired all kinds of rejects from other agencies), and why would they have one the highest turnover rates in government? I believe that ends the debate. GovExec.com reader Posted November 17, 2004 12:53 PM
- TO SSA - ICE - Seattle - In response to: "... government (at least GAO) knew that the whole DHS reorganization would result in declines in "productivity and effectiveness" for a period of 5-7 years. Why in God's name would we engage in such a crippling reorganization in the middle of the Global War on Terror?" Because it was change for the sake of change - full steam ahead. And agents (some anyway) - please find ways to express yourselves without sounding like immature malcontents for the public to see. We look like poster children for outsourcing/downsizing government! GovExec.com reader Posted November 16, 2004 1:17 PM
