Another report says CBP, ICE not detaining, removing inadmissibles flying into country
Between fiscal years 2021 and 2023, the report found CBP agents at this airport released at least 383 inadmissible travelers from custody into the U.S.
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor
Published: June 20, 2024 11:00pm
(The Center Square) -
The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued another report identifying ongoing problems with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processes.
A regional CBP and ICE detention and removal processes were ineffective at one major international airport, the OIG audit found. The report redacts the name and location of the airport and CBP and ICE regional offices.
Between fiscal years 2021 and 2023, the report found CBP agents at this airport released at least 383 inadmissible travelers from custody into the U.S. who, under the law, are prohibited from entering the country. Instead of detaining and processing them for removal, they were released and ordered to return to be removed on their own recognizance; 168 (44%) of them didn't return for their removal flights.
ICE officials said they denied CBP's overnight detention requests for inadmissible travelers before removal flights because of "staffing and bed space limitations," according to the investigation. CBP also said it didn't have enough overtime funds to pay officers to detain inadmissible travelers at the airport after operating hours. CBP agents also described difficulties related to transferring inadmissible travelers to another airport because they needed to first receive permission from the airline and another airport's CBP office and "overcome other logistical issues."
https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/another-report-says-cbp-ice-not-detaining-removing-inadmissibles-flying
