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• Secure Border Initiative: Technology Deployment Delays Persist and the Impact of Border Fencing Has Not Been Assessed, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, September 17, 2009

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  This testimony from GAO Homeland Security Director Richard M. Stana addresses "the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Secure Border Initiative (SBI) program-a multiyear, multibillion dollar program aimed at securing U.S. borders and reducing illegal immigration. Securing the nation's borders from illegal entry of aliens and contraband, including terrorists and weapons of mass destruction, continues to be a major challenge. […] My testimony is based on a report we are publicly releasing today that is the fourth in a series of interim reports on SBI implementation. My testimony will discuss the following key issues in our report: the extent to which CBP has implemented the SBInet technology program and the impact of any delays that have occurred, and the extent to which CBP has deployed the SBI tactical infrastructure program and assessed its results. Our full report also provides a status of SBI program office staffing and the progress the office reports in achieving its human capital goals. I will conclude with some observations regarding our recommendation and DHS's response."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  2009-09-17
• Secure Border Initiative: Observations on Deployment Challenges, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives

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  "In November 2005, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), a multiyear, multibillion-dollar program to secure U.S. borders. One element of SBI is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) SBI program, which is responsible for developing a comprehensive border protection system through a mix of surveillance and communication technologies known as SBInet (e.g., radars, sensors, cameras, and satellite phones) and tactical infrastructure (e.g., fencing). The House Committee on Homeland Security and its Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight asked GAO to monitor DHS progress in implementing CBP's SBI program. This testimony provides GAO's observations on (1) technology deployment; (2) infrastructure deployment; and (3) how the CBP SBI program office has defined its human capital goals and the progress it has ma2e to achieve these goals. GAO's observations are based on prior and new work, including analysis of DHS documentation, such as program schedules, contracts, and status reports. GAO also conducted interviews with DHS and Department of the Interior officials and contractors, and visits to sites on the southwest border where SBI deployment is under way. GAO performed the work from March to September 2008. DHS generally agreed with GAO's findings.

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  2008-09-10
• Border Security: US-VISIT Program Faces Strategic, Operational, and Technological Challenges at Land Ports of Entry

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  "This testimony summarizes a December 2006 GAO report on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to implement the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program at land ports of entry (POE). US-VISIT is designed to collect, maintain, and share data on selected foreign nationals entering and exiting the United States at air, sea, and land POEs. These data, including biometric identifiers like digital fingerprints, are to be used to screen persons against watch lists, verify identities, and record arrival and departure. This testimony addresses DHS's efforts to (1) implement US-VISIT entry capability, (2) implement US-VISIT exit capability, and (3) define how US-VISIT fits with other emerging border security initiatives. GAO analyzed DHS and US-VISIT documents, interviewed program officials, and visited 21 land POEs with varied traffic levels on both borders."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  2007-01-31
• Homeland Security: Prospects for Biometric US-VISIT Exit Capability Remain Unclear, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives

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  "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has spent and continues to invest hundreds of millions of dollars each year in its U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program to collect, maintain, and share information on selected foreign nationals who enter and exit the United States at over 300 air, sea, and land ports of entry (POEs). The program uses biometric identifiers (digital finger scans and photographs) to screen people against watch lists and to verify that a visitor is the person who was issued a visa or other travel document. GAO's testimony addresses the status of US-VISIT entry and exit capabilities and DHS's management of past and future exit efforts. In developing its testimony, GAO drew from eight prior reports on US-VISIT as well as ongoing work for the committee. In light of the department's longstanding challenges in delivering an operational exit capability and the uncertainty surrounding its future exit efforts, GAO urges the department to approach its latest attempt at deploying mission critical exit capabilities with the kind of rigor and discipline that GAO has previously recommended."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Hite, Randolph C.; Stana, Richard M.

  2007-06-28
• Border Patrol: Costs and Challenges Related to Training New Agents, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives

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  "In May 2006, the President called for comprehensive immigration reform that included strengthening control of the country's borders by, among other things, adding 6,000 new agents to the U.S. Border Patrol by the end of December 2008. This unprecedented 48 percent increase over 2 years raises concerns about the ability of the Border Patrol's basic training program to train these new agents. This testimony is based on a recent report for the ranking member of this subcommittee on the content, quality, and cost of the Border Patrol's basic training program for new agents and addresses (1) the extent to which the Border Patrol's basic training program exhibits the attributes of an effective training program and the changes to the program since September 11, 2001; (2) the cost to train a new agent and how this compares to the costs of other similar law enforcement basic training programs; and (3) any plans the Border Patrol has developed or considered to improve the efficiency of its basic training program. To address these issues, GAO reviewed relevant documents; observed classroom training and exercises at the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico; assessed the methodologies of training cost estimates; and interviewed Border Patrol officials."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  2007-06-19
• Illegal Aliens: Significant Obstacles to Reducing Unauthorized Alien Employment Exist, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Associate Director, Administration of Justice Issues, General Government Division, before the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims, House of Representatives

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  "One of the primary magnets attracting illegal aliens to the United States is jobs. Immigration experts believe that as long as opportunities for employment exist, the incentive to enter the United States illegally will persist, and efforts at the U.S. borders to prevent illegal entry will be undermined. Therefore, these experts believe that reducing the availability of employment for illegal aliens should be an integral part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce illegal immigration. […] The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 made it illegal for employers knowingly to hire unauthorized aliens. IRCA requires employers to comply with an employment verification process intended to provide them with a means to avoid hiring unauthorized aliens. The process requires newly hired employees to present a document or documents that establish their identity and eligibility to work. Employers are to review the document or documents that an employee presents and complete an Employment Eligibility Form, INS Form I-9. On the form, employers are to certify that they have reviewed the documents and that the documents appear genuine and relate to the individual. Employers are expected to judge whether the documents are obviously fraudulent. IRCA also provides for penalties or sanctions, such as fines, against employers who do not complete the verification process or who knowingly hire unauthorized aliens. INS, under its worksite enforcement program, and to a limited degree, Labor, are responsible for checking employer compliance with IRCA's verification requirements."

  United States. General Accounting Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  1999-07-01
• Employment Verification: Challenges Exist in Implementing a Mandatory Electronic Employment Verification System, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, before the Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives

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  "In 1996, the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, now within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) began operating a voluntary pilot program, recently named the EVerify program, to provide participating employers with a means for electronically verifying employees' work eligibility. Legislation has been introduced in Congress to require all employers to electronically verify the work authorization status of their employees. In this testimony GAO provides observations on the EVerify system's capacity and costs, options for reducing delays and improving efficiency in the verification process, ability to detect fraudulent documents and identity theft, and vulnerability to employer fraud and misuse. This testimony is based on GAO's products issued from August 2005 through June 2007 and updated information obtained from DHS and SSA in April 2008. We analyzed data on employer use, E-Verify guidance, and other reports on the employment verification process, as well as legislative proposals and regulations. In 2005, we recommended that DHS include an assessment of the feasibility and costs of addressing program weaknesses, such as inability to detect identity fraud, in a planned evaluation of the program. DHS implemented this recommendation. This testimony contains no new recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  2008-05-06
• Border Security: Despite Progress, Weaknesses in Traveler Inspections Exist at Our Nation's Ports of Entry, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives

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  "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for keeping terrorists and other dangerous people from entering the country while also facilitating the cross-border movement of millions of travelers. CBP carries out this responsibility at 326 air, sea, and land ports of entry. In response to a congressional request, GAO examined CBP traveler inspection efforts, the progress made, and the challenges that remain in staffing and training at ports of entry, and the progress CBP has made in developing strategic plans and performance measures for its traveler inspection program. To conduct its work, GAO reviewed and analyzed CBP data and documents related to inspections, staffing, and training, interviewed managers and officers, observed inspections at eight major air and land ports of entry, and tested inspection controls at eight small land ports of entry. GAO's testimony is based on a report GAO issued November 5, 2007. GAO made recommendations aimed at enhancing internal controls in the inspection process, mechanisms for measuring training provided and new officer proficiency, and a performance measure for apprehending inadmissible aliens and other violators. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concurred with GAO's recommendations. DHS said that CBP is taking steps to address the recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  2008-01-03
• Border Security: Despite Progress, Weaknesses in Traveler Inspections Exist at Our Nation's Ports of Entry, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate

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  "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for keeping terrorists and other dangerous people from entering the country while also facilitating the cross-border movement of millions of travelers. CBP carries out this responsibility at 326 air, sea, and land ports of entry. In response to a congressional request, GAO [Government Accountability Office] examined CBP traveler inspection efforts, the progress made, and the challenges that remain in staffing and training at ports of entry, and the progress CBP has made in developing strategic plans and performance measures for its traveler inspection program. To conduct its work, GAO reviewed and analyzed CBP data and documents related to inspections, staffing, and training, interviewed managers and officers, observed inspections at eight major air and land ports of entry, and tested inspection controls at eight small land ports of entry. GAO's testimony is based on a report GAO issued November 5, 2007. GAO made recommendations aimed at enhancing internal controls in the inspection process, mechanisms for measuring training provided and new officer proficiency, and a performance measure for apprehending inadmissible aliens and other violators. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concurred with GAO's recommendations. DHS said that CBP is taking steps to address the recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.

  2007-11-13
• U.S. Capitol Police: Status of Efforts to Address Prior GAO Recommendations on Administrative and Management Operations, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Kay L. Daly, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, Bernice Steinhardt, Director, Strategic Issues, and Valierie C. Melvin, Director, Information Technology, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Capitol Security, Committee on House Administration, House of Representatives, May 1, 2008

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  "The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is responsible for securing the 276-acre Capitol Complex, including protecting Members of Congress, visitors, and congressional facilities. In response to heightened security concerns, various requests, and legislative mandates over the years, GAO has reported on management control problems in five key areas: (1) establishing an accountability framework for monitoring recommendations, (2) establishing a risk management framework, (3) ensuring financial management, (4) ensuring strategic and human capital planning, and (5) managing information technology (IT). From January 2004 through March 2007, GAO made 46 recommendations aimed at improving USCP administrative and management operations and achieving strategic goals. This testimony reports on the status of USCP's efforts to address GAO's recommendations. To conduct its work, GAO analyzed USCP documentation, such as risk matrices, budget documents, and strategic plans. GAO also conducted interviews with USCP officials and contractors on their efforts related to its recommendations. GAO performed this work from October 2007 through April 2008. USCP generally agreed with GAO's 46 prior recommendations and GAO's assessment of the status of USCP's efforts to implement those recommendations. Along these lines, USCP needs to complete those actions in progress and address those where there has been no progress."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.; Melvin, Valerie C.; Steinhardt, Bernice

  2008-05-01
• Immigration Benefits: Seventeenth Report Required by the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998

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  "This report responds to certain requirements of the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) of 1998 that authorized certain Haitian nationals and their dependents to apply to adjust their status to lawful permanent residence. Section 902 (k) of the act requires the Comptroller General to report every 6 months on the number of Haitian nationals who have applied and been approved to adjust their status to lawful permanent residence. The reports are to contain a breakdown of the number of Haitians who applied and the number who were approved as asylum applicants, parolees, children without parents, orphaned children, or abandoned children; or as the eligible dependents of these applicants, including spouses, children, and unmarried sons or daughters. Reports are to be provided until all applications have been finally adjudicated. This is our seventeenth report. Through September 30, 2007, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), formerly part of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), had received a total of 41,370 HRIFA applications and had approved 18,886 of these applications. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) had 2,098 applications filed and had approved 827 of them. Details on the categories of the applicants and approvals are provided in this report. Haitian applicants are to send their applications to USCIS's Nebraska Service Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. A contractor at the service center is responsible for processing the applications up to the point of their adjudication by USCIS adjudication officers."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Stana, Richard M.; Rezmovic, Evi; Briggs, Nancy A.

  2007-11-16