Immigration Management: Strong Leadership and Management Reforms Needed to Address Serious Problems

GAO discussed management issues regarding the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and potential reforms. GAO noted that: (1) INS addressed some specific financial management weaknesses, but fundamental financial management problems remained unaddressed; (2) INS needs to clearly state component responsibilities and provide for a clear sense of purpose and coordination among the different components; (3) INS staffing and security increased at some detention facilities, but staffing shortages at other facilities resulted in INS using a medium-security facility to house aliens denied U.S. entry rather than criminal aliens as intended; (4) despite a large increase in funds for adjudications and inspections, INS continued to experience service delivery problems; (5) adjudication application processing times between fiscal year (FY) 1989 and FY 1990 improved in 4 out of 5 large districts, but nationwide processing times increased during the first quarter of FY 1991; (6) INS has begun developing an information plan regarding its resource management problems; and (7) the Department of Justice and INS initiated action to address some problems, such as cash and debt management, and hiring high-quality management to help develop a strategic vision for INS.