DHS’ efforts to interdict high-risk travelers showing progress, obstacles remain, according to GAO report

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to address high risk travelers and strengthen visa security programs have experienced progress in some areas and challenges in others, according to a recently-published report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

GAO was tasked with assessing DHS’ efforts in addressing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programs aimed at preventing high-risk travelers from boarding United States-bound flights, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) management of the Visa Security Program (VSP) and DHS’ oversight of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

To identify potentially high-risk travelers, CBP operates pre-departure programs to help interdict individuals deemed to be inadmissible prior to boarding United States-bound flights. CBP officers also inspect all U.S.-bound travelers on pre-cleared flights along with operating nine Immigration Advisory Program and two Joint Security Program locations to help identify high-risk travelers.

GAO found that while CBP’s data said the agency interdicted more than 22,000 high-risk air travelers through FY2015, the agency had not fully evaluated the overall effectiveness of those programs by using performance measures or baselines.

A March 2011 GAO report stated that ICE had not collected data on VSP performance measures or track the time officials spent on visa security-related activities. DHS, however, did not concur with the report’s conclusions.

In May 2016, GAO reported on DHS’ oversight of the VWP, which allows nationals from 38 countries to visit the United States visa-free for a 90 day time period. In return, each nation reports lost or stolen passports, shares information on known or suspected terrorists, and reports criminal histories. GAO’s report found that not all countries were sharing its information on known or suspected terrorists or criminal histories of some travelers. Ss of April 2017, however, DHS reported that officials are working with VWP countries to address those issues.

GAO offered no new recommendations in its report, but stated that its officials are still examining DHS’ management and oversight of VSP.