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Open Recommendations

Border Security: Additional Information Could Inform Enforcement Decisions for Noncitizens Paroled at the Southwest Border
GAO-26-107765
May 18, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement The Director of ICE should obtain information from CBP on the parole status of noncitizens CBP paroled at the southwest border and make that information accessible to relevant ICE officials to inform ICE's monitoring and enforcement decisions. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Resources Deployed and Challenges Faced in Securing the Northern Border
GAO-26-107501
Feb 12, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should develop and implement a plan with strategies for addressing workforce gaps in the Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialist position.
Open
DHS agreed with this recommendation. In commenting on a draft of our report in September 2025, DHS stated that CBP and Border Patrol are working together to establish a way to hire additional Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialists. DHS also stated that Border Patrol is offering training opportunities to Border Patrol processing coordinators to allow them to transition to become Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialists. Lastly, DHS said that Border Patrol plans to analyze the feasibility of offering retention incentives to reduce attrition in this position. DHS provided an estimated completion date of April 30, 2026, for these actions. We will continue to monitor Border Patrol's actions in response to this recommendation.

Federal Custody: Bureau of Prisons and ICE Should Take Actions to Improve Access to Menstrual Products
GAO-26-107694
Feb 02, 2026
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP should ensure the Bureau's oversight activities systematically and routinely monitor adherence to BOP policy on the provision of menstrual products. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement The Director of ICE should revise each set of detention standards to clarify requirements related to the provision of menstrual products. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Supply Chain Security: Actions Needed to Improve CBP Management of the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Program
GAO-26-107893
Jan 27, 2026
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6 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should develop a plan and assign responsibility for overseeing the completeness and consistency of its security incident data involving CTPAT participants, such as through regular evaluations of security incident data and ensuring that security incidents reported from CTPAT field offices or self-reported by participants are included in its data. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should update the operating guidance for investigating and taking enforcement action against CTPAT participants involved in security incidents. The update should include (1) decision-making criteria based on a risk-based approach to inform decisions on methods to investigate participants, (2) decision-making criteria based on a risk-based approach to inform decisions on enforcement actions against participants, and (3) requirements that those decisions be documented. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should improve the completeness and accuracy of the CTPAT program's enforcement actions data in the CTPAT Portal by addressing (1) incomplete data entries, (2) inconsistent or inaccurate data entries, (3) missing data entries, and (4) the potential for duplicate records. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should develop a formal mechanism to ensure it annually reviews and updates as necessary the CTPAT program's minimum security requirements, as required by the SAFE Port Act. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should develop and document internal policies and procedures to ensure the agency develops an annual plan for each fiscal year to match available resources to the projected workload of the CTPAT program, as required by the SAFE Port Act, including resources to address program participant involvement in security incidents. (Recommendation 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should develop a 5-year plan with outcome-based goals and performance measures of the CTPAT program, as required by the SAFE Port Act. (Recommendation 6)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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