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Open Recommendations

Immigration Detention: Changes In Inspections of ICE Facilities Raise Questions About Oversight
GAO-27-109299
Nov 05, 2026
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement The Director of ICE should use evidence, such as data and performance information, to determine the effects of changes to inspections by DHS entities and whether the inspections are collectively sufficient for overseeing detention facility compliance with detention standards and identifying deficiencies. (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 modify inspections ICE conducts of detention facilities based on its findings, as appropriate. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Critical Minerals: BLM Should Ensure Individuals and Businesses Meet Citizenship Requirements for Hardrock Mining Claims
GAO-27-108196
Oct 16, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Bureau of Land Management The Director of BLM should direct BLM staff to collect citizenship information from mining claimants and document that they meet the citizenship requirements under U.S. mining laws to hold mining claims. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Disaster Assistance: FEMA Actions Needed to Better Support People with Disabilities in Disasters
GAO-26-108057
Sep 30, 2026
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should re-institute training to state and local partners on addressing the needs of people with disabilities in disasters. (Recommendation 1)
Open
FEMA agreed with this recommendation. FEMA said it would revise and strengthen training related to integrating the needs of people with disabilities. They will then determine the most effective approach for making updated or supplemental training and locally developed efforts, while prioritizing support for jurisdictions that may not have access to comparable training. Estimated completion is September 2027. We will monitor the progress of these efforts.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should document and standardize that the disability specialist role in all regions includes coordinating with relevant state and local partners before disasters happen to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are taken into account during disasters. (Recommendation 2)
Open
FEMA agreed with this recommendation . The agency plans to review and update, as appropriate, position descriptions, program guidance, standard operating procedures, and related documentation for the disability specialist role. They will document and standardize core expectations across all regions, providing enough flexibility to account for differences in jurisdictional structures, partner capabilities and regional operating environments. FEMA will also consider applicable statutory, policy and operational developments that may affect the role and responsibilities of specialists. Estimated completion is September 2027. We will monitor the progress of these efforts.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should solicit and incorporate feedback on its IA application process from people with different types of disabilities to address issues we identified in this report, such as use of plain language and the discontinuation of door-to-door assistance teams, and make it easier for people with disabilities to apply for assistance. (Recommendation 3)
Open
FEMA agreed with this recommendation. FEMA is reviewing its Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide, which documents IA programs and activities to impacted jurisdictions, including information on the application process. As part of the update, they will solicit public comment in Fall 2027. They will then consider comments, including feedback from people with different types of disabilities, disability advocacy groups and other stakeholders on barriers to the application process. FEMA plans to review and evaluate these comments in Winter 2027 and incorporate feedback, as appropriate, with plans to publish the guide in May 2028. We will monitor the progress of these efforts.

Combatting Illicit Drugs: DOJ and DHS Must Resolve Uncertainties Around Collaboration to Ensure Effective Counternarcotics Investigations
GAO-26-107414
Sep 30, 2026
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5 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Justice The Attorney General should collaborate with the Secretary of Homeland Security to clarify the status of requirements in DEA and ICE's 2009 agreement and 2021 joint letter, including the Headquarters Review Team, field office notification of investigations and operational plans, and the joint training. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Justice After clarifying the status of the requirements in DEA and ICE's existing agreements, the Attorney General should direct the Administrator of DEA, in collaboration with the Director of ICE, to update DEA and ICE's 2009 agreement and 2021 joint letter to address changes to the current operating environment or develop a new agreement or framework that addresses these changes. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Justice The Attorney General should clarify how DOJ will implement key supervisory mechanisms identified in DOJ Office of Legal Counsel's January 2025 opinion in light of any changes to requirements within DEA and ICE's 2009 agreement and 2021 joint letter. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Homeland Security The Secretary of Homeland Security should collaborate with the Attorney General to clarify the status of requirements in DEA and ICE's 2009 agreement and 2021 joint letter, including the Headquarters Review Team, field office notification of investigations and operational plans, and the joint training. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Homeland Security After clarifying the status of the requirements in DEA and ICE's existing agreements, the Secretary of Homeland Security should direct the Director of ICE, in collaboration with the Administrator of DEA, to update DEA and ICE's 2009 agreement and 2021 joint letter to address changes to the current operating environment or develop a new agreement or framework that addresses these changes. (Recommendation 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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