Refugee Program: Financial Accountability for Refugee Resettlement Can Be Improved
NSIAD-89-92
Published: Mar 17, 1989. Publicly Released: Mar 17, 1989.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO audited voluntary agencies' expenditures of funds they received under the Department of State's Refugee Reception and Placement Program for fiscal years 1986 and 1987.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| To modify the period during which funds may be expended, Congress may wish to consider amending section 412(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to state that funds provided to agencies under such grants and contracts may only be obligated or expended during the fiscal year in which they are provided or the subsequent 6 months or such subsequent fiscal period as the Department of State may approve as necessary to provide current services to refugees. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
State has implemented a change in the cooperative agreements which meets the intent of the proposed legislation. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should require the Director, Bureau of Refugee Programs, to provide definitions of administrative and direct-service costs for each voluntary agency, tailored to fit the circumstances of each agency, as part of the cooperative agreement. Audit reports that include assessments of the expenditures in accordance with these definitions, as would be required under a GAGAS audit, could be used to evaluate each agency's use of federal funds. |
Closed – Implemented
State concurred with the recommendation and implemented changes in 1990.
|
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Topics
Administrative costsAid to refugeesBudget outlaysCongressional oversightFinancial disclosureFunds managementGrant administrationProposed legislationReporting requirementsVolunteer services