TOPICS
TOPICS
Senators to weigh suggested merger of homeland security agencies
Two key senators said Thursday they are evaluating a recommendation to merge two of the Homeland Security Department's law enforcement agencies.
The department's inspector general has completed a report recommending that the bureaus of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement be merged. Government Executive reported on the IG's investigation and recommendation in September.
Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said in a joint statement that the report reveals problems at both agencies.
The two senators, who lead the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, requested the IG investigation. They have both expressed concern about the bureaus' ability to carry out their missions.
DHS could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday.
Collins said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff should be given more time to make structural changes at the agencies. Collins added, however, that the committee will consider legislation next year to merge the agencies if "significant changes are not made in a reasonable amount of time."
COMMENTS
- DHS was a knee-jerk reaction by politicians who wanted to keep their positions in a time of fear. While the movement of agencies under one management umbrella may have been a proper move, the dismantling and reassembly of USCS and INS into ICE and CBP was nothing short of malfeasance. I work with and respect legacy INS. I have also known and respected legacy Customs employees. Each had a different job to do, a different focus and a different personal mindset that led us to that position. I have seen comments on the lack of professionalism and the lack of importance of immigration work. To these people I simply say that you are lacking in understanding of the full scope of immigration enforcement. This is not a swipe at legacy Customs. I have worked with Customs Special Agents, Customs Inspectors and Customs Patrol Officers and I respect them and their mission. USCS and INS both conducted important and difficult missions. Under DHS, artificial boundaries (interior versus border) have been set up instead of clear-cut boundaries set by law (materials versus people). Interior versus border mission boundaries are a poorly devised division of labor. Instead of fighting each other or for a goal which would still leave most unhappy (the merger of ICE and CBP), we should use our energy to tell Congress the detailed and exacting needs of our differing missions (customs versus immigration) and fight for a proper solution – the restoration of lines of mission and resurrection of USCS and INS as identifiable and separate agencies. This would allow for better management of border security agencies sought by DHS while allowing for proper technical training of enforcement specialist which are needed to properly conduct separate but equally important missions. There are two separate personality types involved and two very different and specialized sections of law and policy. GovExec.com reader Posted January 12, 2006 2:50 PM
- ICE is very well-represented in these forums, which is a good thing. It shows they care about what's happening in these agencies. I am curious; for the sheer number of CBP Officers in DHS, why there are so few responding to these questions and comments, either positively or negatively? GovExec.com reader Posted January 6, 2006 2:14 PM
- Darlene: It would have been a better book without the extended "dream" sequences! Next time, just stick to the facts, and let them speak for themselves. Happy New Year, and say hello to Sandy. GovExec.com reader Posted January 5, 2006 12:52 PM
