DHS OIG Congressional Bulletin September 2025, Vol. 8

From the Desk of Inspector General

Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D.

I am pleased to share the September 2025 DHS OIG Congressional Bulletin to ensure our Congressional stakeholders are informed of our latest oversight work. This bulletin highlights key findings, investigative outcomes, and new initiatives. 

During the past few months, we published several significant audit and inspection reports that reflect the breadth of our work across DHS components. One audit that generated substantial interest from stakeholders was ICE Cannot Effectively Monitor the Location and Status of All Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) After Federal Custody. As I stated during my July 23, 2025, testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, my office will continue to address this issue and OIG is undertaking a follow-on project to review ICE’s ongoing efforts to monitor and confirm the safety of UACs.

More recently, we published The Secret Service’s Counter Sniper Team Is Not Staffed to Meet Mission Requirements, in which we address the needs of the U.S. Secret Service to quickly hire and train more counter snipers to meet growing operational demands and be prepared for the 2028 Presidential election cycle.  We reported on mismanagement of the CISA’s cyber retention incentive pay program, which did not manage funds effectively or efficiently. We also published reports on FEMA’s continued challenges rebuilding Puerto Rico’s electrical grid, and CBP’s limitations detecting and preventing use of fraudulent documents to enter the country.

DHS OIG continues to be an outstanding investment for the American taxpayer, as our financial impact is over $27 for every $1 spent. As of our last Semi-Annual Reporting period (October 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025), DHS OIG had issued 20 new audit and inspection reports containing 111 recommendations, and we closed 105 recommendations issued in that and prior periods. Our investigative efforts resulted in over $73 million in recoveries, restitution, and fines.

As always, I am incredibly proud of the work conducted by the dedicated DHS OIG professionals who carry out our vital mission of independent oversight and strengthening DHS’s ability to protect the American public, while promoting the highest standard of excellence, integrity, efficiency, and accountability within the Department of Homeland Security.

                                                     Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D.