The DHS Office of Inspector General has launched multiple investigations into the department’s immigration enforcement activities, covering ICE’s hiring surge, expedited removals, use of force, detention compliance, and citizenship-determination procedures for detainees. A separate probe opened in early January examines whether CBP’s interior enforcement follows department policies and federal law. The OIG says review timelines vary (it has a 397-day audit goal it often misses) but will alert DHS and Congress immediately if it finds imminent risks.
DHS Watchdog Discloses Multiple Probes Into Nationwide Immigration Enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security’s independent Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced on Thursday that it has opened several investigations into the department amid heightened scrutiny of the White House’s nationwide immigration enforcement campaign.
What the Investigations Cover
Scope: The inquiries — some previously reported — examine a range of issues including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) rapid hiring efforts, the use of expedited removals, allegations of excessive use of force, and compliance with detention standards.
Citizenship Determination: One additional review will assess DHS processes for determining U.S. citizenship for individuals detained or arrested during immigration enforcement operations.
CBP Interior Enforcement: The inspector general’s office is also probing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). That review, opened in early January, is evaluating whether CBP’s interior immigration enforcement actions comply with DHS policy and federal requirements.
Political Context and Reactions
The surge of investigations comes as lawmakers from both parties criticize the administration’s enforcement operations in several states, some of which have sparked violent confrontations. Senate Democrats are using a hold on DHS funding to press for reforms such as requiring federal officers to wear body cameras and clear identification.
The administration has resisted at least one demand to prohibit agents from wearing masks during enforcement operations. A DHS spokesperson sought to downplay the number of investigations, saying the count alone "doesn’t say anything about their disposition or the facts," and reiterated the department’s commitment to law, the Constitution, and impartial oversight.
Inspector General And Oversight Timelines
Joseph V. Cuffari, the DHS inspector general nominated during the previous administration, remains in office. Dozens of congressional Democrats recently urged his office to expedite an investigation opened in June into whether ICE investigates allegations of excessive force.
In a statement, the OIG noted that timelines for oversight reviews "are affected by several variables." The office has an internal target of completing audits within 397 days but has acknowledged routinely missing that benchmark, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. The OIG also emphasized that if investigators discover issues posing immediate risk to safety, health, property, or operations, they have mechanisms to promptly notify DHS and Congress rather than waiting for a final report.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers have called for the removal of senior DHS officials in recent weeks; however, prospects for an impeachment or removal effort that wins sufficient bipartisan support in the House remain unlikely.
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