FOLLOW-UP AUDIT OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE’S AIRPORT INSPECTION FACILITIES

REDACTED VERSION FOLLOW-UP AUDIT OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE’S AIRPORT INSPECTION FACILITIES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY According to Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) records, during fiscal year 2001 the INS processed 43.1 million alien passengers through Federal Inspection Services (inspection) areas at 159 airports. The INS designates which airports may receive international passengers, based on whether individual airlines and airport authorities furnish suitable landing stations in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (Act). The INS is authorized to withdraw such designations if circumstances warrant. The INS, along with other federal inspection agencies, approves the design of inspection areas. At the INS’s request, we conducted an audit of inspection areas at international airports during 1999. We conducted on-site reviews at 12 airports and received surveys from INS staff at 30 additional airports. Our audit found deficiencies at all 42 airports reviewed. Inspection areas were poorly designed and had numerous monitoring, surveillance, and communication deficiencies. Hold rooms were too small and did not permit separate confinement of male, females, and juvenile detainees. As a result, airports were vulnerable to illegal entry, escapes, injuries, and the hiding or disposing of contraband and documents. We recommended that the INS take steps to correct the deficiencies and improve the ...