Study finds 'fear and uncertainty' among border inspectors

A report released Thursday found "a great deal of fear and uncertainty" among border inspectors within the Homeland Security Department that could undermine border security if not addressed.

The report, released by the Migration Policy Institute, evaluated the "One Face at the Border" initiative within DHS' Customs and Border Protection bureau. The initiative was established in 2003 to merge the functions of immigration, customs and agriculture inspectors and create a unified border inspection process at U.S. land, sea and air ports of entry.

"The short timeline by which DHS and CBP had to become operational after passage of the [2002] Homeland Security Act resulted in a lost opportunity to carefully design a border management agency for the future, and likely to avoid a number of the challenges that have since arisen," wrote the report's author, policy analyst Deborah Meyers.

"Little advance planning was undertaken about how things would actually work, not for lack of good intentions, but for lack of time," Meyers added. "The long-discussed merger of the border agencies could have been an opportunity to craft a new approach to border management, create the organizational structure needed to implement it, and build a new culture."

Meyers found a number of weaknesses at CBP, such as a lack of immigration expertise at field offices and minimal outreach efforts between the government and community-based groups.

According to the report, border inspectors expressed uncertainty about several issues within the agency. For example, they were concerned about overly broad standards regarding unauthorized disclosures of sensitive or classified information, including attempts to make them sign a secrecy pledge. Legacy inspectors also were concerned about being represented by three different unions, while new employees were concerned about not having any representation.

Inspectors were also worried about DHS' plan to revamp its human resources system to include a pay-for-performance system.

The report recommends that CBP take actions specifically with regard to retaining and developing specialization and expertise, building a new institutional culture, increasing public outreach and addressing systemic obstacles and strategic thinking.

The report was the second in a series of three this summer from MPI to assess border control measures since the 9/11 attacks. The first report addressed the US-VISIT entry-exit system; the final report will address changes in visa procedures and requirements.