The Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General (OIG) has released a report criticizing the parole process for Afghan evacuees. The report highlights vulnerabilities in the system, particularly the lack of coordination between the three main DHS components involved in the process: Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to the report, these agencies have separate processes for identifying and resolving derogatory information about parolees, which can lead to gaps in responsibility and monitoring. For example, the report found that USCIS and ICE do not currently monitor the expiration of parole for individual evacuees.
The OIG also identified an enforcement gap for parolees denied benefits, where inadmissibility for benefits does not automatically lead to removal proceedings. Additionally, the report found that criteria for action may vary between agencies due to changes in enforcement priorities.
The OIG makes several recommendations in the report, including developing guidelines for terminating parole and making referrals to ICE, reviewing records to identify and resolve derogatory information, clarifying DHS responsibility for parole reauthorization, and establishing guidelines for handling derogatory information.
DHS has concurred with the recommendations but has also defended its approach to resettling Afghans, stating that it has prioritized national security and public safety. However, the report’s findings suggest that there are areas where the parole process could be improved to ensure the safety and well-being of both evacuees and the American public.
