New Study Harsh on DHS Failures

A new study sharply criticizes the four-year-old Department of Homeland Security for failing at a broad spectrum of its assigned responsibilities. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found DHS lagging in areas ranging from emergency preparedness and response to immigration services to bookkeeping, according to a report released today. GAO found the department has fallen short or failed entirely at a litany of missions, including: implementing a biometric exit system to track people leaving the United States; ensuring the removal of criminal aliens; developing an air cargo screening system; and providing timely assistance and services to victims of disasters and other emergencies. Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage. In its response to the report, the department criticized the GAO’s study, accusing the office of changing its criteria midway through the study and failing to value progress on vital security-related tasks above less important administrative ones. GAO Comptroller General David M. Walker is slated to testify before Congress this afternoon on his office’s findings. Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?