Workforce

The asylum backlog could double by the end of the decade without a DHS staffing surge

USCIS is failing to meet its legal obligations due to its shrinking workforce and growing responsibilities, IG says.

Management

ICE detainees suffer preventable deaths

ICE detention facilities suffer from outdated systems, a lack of translation services – and a penchant for releasing ailing detainees to reduce the death count. A Q&A with a medical researcher examines systemic failures.

Workforce

DHS cyber hiring program got off on the wrong foot, CIO says, but progress is showing

Ten years after its congressional authorization, the Cybersecurity Talent Management System is closing in on 200 hires.

Management

DHS says surge of employees to the front lines is working to ramp up border enforcement

President Biden's new policies to turn away most migrants is causing border crossings to decline significantly, administration says.

Workforce

DHS hires its initial cohort of 10 to join its AI Corps

The Homeland Security Department’s AI Corps is designed to deploy tech-savvy experts across its operations to drive the adoption of AI capabilities within its various mission areas.

Workforce

DHS wants to go big with its hiring fair this week

The department says it's cutting red tape in government hiring by giving tentative job offers on the spot and starting vetting processes in person.

News

Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before Senate panel

Microbiology and biodefense experts continued to wrangle over whether COVID-19 emerged from a laboratory leak or was passed to humans through exposure from another animal.

Oversight

DHS needs to improve how it collects employee hiring and vetting data, GAO reports

The watchdog’s analysis found that the department did not meet its average hiring time targets in fiscal 2022 for nine out of 13 priority positions.

Oversight

Coast Guard's handling of misconduct allegations draws increased scrutiny from Congress

Congressional inquiries were spurred by a media report that the Coast Guard kept hidden a multi-year investigation into sexual assault at its service academy.

Management

Court rules for DHS employees alleging their division was disbanded in retaliation to their whistleblowing

The decision sets a new precedent for federal employees that denied promotions -- even if never fully promised -- can amount to retaliation.

Tech

Lawmakers look to restore TSA funding to speed screening tech deployment

The measure is one of three bipartisan proposals rolled out this week that seek to bolster funding for TSA’s deployment of new technologies and to limit invasive pat-downs of travelers.

Oversight

CBP disposes of and loses migrants’ personal belongings due to unclear policy, watchdog says

The GAO recommended that Border Patrol clarify the amount of personal property from individuals in its custody that should be stored and what items may or may not be discarded.

Management

Executive order limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border signed by Biden

The White House order would cap asylum requests at the southern border at 2,500 daily crossings.

Tech

DHS sets its research sights on 8 emerging technologies

The Homeland Security Department’s Innovation, Research and Development Strategic Plan focuses its investment the next seven years on AI, cybersecurity, biotech and more. 

News

Legislation weighing contractors' national security risk heads to Senate floor

One bill would bar federal agencies from contracting with entities that consult with the Chinese government.

Oversight

ICE might be incorrectly measuring its resources needs, GAO says

A new GAO report found that the office responsible for managing ICE’s budget had a staff vacancy rate of 25% in fiscal 2023.

Management

Is Biden’s new immigration rule doomed without more staffing?

The administration is looking to create new responsibilities for an agency it has said desperately needs additional resources.

Updated News

Group says CBP official drank while carrying firearm, retaliated against whistleblower

The Government Accountability Project sent a letter Wednesday to multiple congressional committees, the Homeland Security Department and others alleging a senior official consumed alcohol while in possession of an agency-issued firearm.

Oversight

Senate rejects impeachment articles against DHS Secretary Mayorkas

In a 51-49 vote along party lines, Senate Democrats dismissed impeachment charges Wednesday against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for not meeting the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors.