By Bethany Blankley (The Center Square)
Since the inauguration of the Biden-Harris administration, a series of failures have been uncovered at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Multiple audits conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) have revealed a wide range of deficiencies within DHS and its subagencies, encompassing issues from vetting and screening procedures to the release of foreign nationals that pose national security threats. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, head of DHS, faced impeachment by House Republicans in February for his alleged dereliction of duty in addressing the failures highlighted by the OIG.
Congress Establishes DHS
The establishment of DHS was mandated by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, with the aim of consolidating federal resources to enhance national security and disaster response capabilities.
The Act requires DHS to provide situational awareness and a common operating picture for the federal government, state, local, and tribal entities, regarding terrorist threats and natural or man-made disasters.
Recent incidents and disasters have underscored the critical need for situational awareness within the Homeland Security Enterprise, prompting the OIG to conduct an audit on DHS’s ability to share actionable information on emerging threats with external partners.
The audit revealed deficiencies in the utilization of DHS technology by partners to obtain crucial threat information, indicating a failure in the sharing of emerging threat intelligence with key stakeholders.
Continued Failures and Concerns
Despite congressional calls for a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin, DHS has not issued one since May 2023, raising concerns about the communication of timely and detailed information on terrorist threats to the public.
Reports from the OIG have highlighted various issues within DHS, including the release of individuals on the terrorist watchlist due to ineffective practices by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, inadequate vetting of Afghanistan nationals posing national security risks, and the dismissal of deportation cases due to administrative lapses.
The OIG also identified shortcomings in the screening and vetting of asylum seekers and noncitizens applying for admission into the U.S., leading to the release of potentially dangerous individuals into the country.
President Biden’s recent executive order expanding refugee application status to citizens and residents of multiple countries globally has raised further concerns amidst DHS’s screening and vetting challenges.
Ongoing Concerns and Oversight
Additional reports from the OIG have highlighted the inability of DHS to locate all migrants released into the U.S., wasteful spending on housing for migrants, and systemic issues within the transfer of unaccompanied alien children to the Department of Health and Human Services, including failures in vetting sponsors and ensuring child welfare.
Whistleblower revelations of abuse and neglect within the UAC program have prompted criminal complaints and legislative action by lawmakers, underscoring the urgent need for reforms and oversight in the handling of vulnerable populations by DHS.
This comprehensive review of the failures and deficiencies within DHS underscores the critical importance of addressing systemic issues to enhance national security and safeguard the well-being of individuals under the care of the department.
Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.
