Skip to main content

Homeland Security

Jump To:

Recent Reports

View More Reports

Open Recommendations

Combatting Illicit Drugs: DOJ and DHS Must Resolve Uncertainties Around Collaboration to Ensure Effective Counternarcotics Investigations
GAO-26-107414
Sep 30, 2026
Show
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.

Disaster Assistance: FEMA Actions Needed to Better Support People with Disabilities in Disasters
GAO-26-108057
Sep 30, 2026
Show
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
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Coast Guard: Additional Action Needed to Address Marine Firefighting Challenges
GAO-26-108533
Sep 29, 2026
Show
6 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should designate, in coordination with Captains of the Port, marine firefighting coordination responsibilities to specific field unit positions. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should ensure Captains of the Port, or their designees, engage with fire departments and maritime stakeholders to coordinate shipboard training opportunities, including vessel tours and exercises. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should establish a mechanism to store and share marine firefighting information, such as best practices, with Coast Guard officials and maritime stakeholders. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should develop and distribute information to maritime stakeholders and Coast Guard sectors on factors to consider when determining whether vessel response plans should be activated for marine fires. For example, the Coast Guard could compile examples of when vessel response plans were appropriately activated or identify factors to consider in deciding when to activate vessel response plans based on prior marine fires. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should issue regulations pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requiring owners and operators of tank vessels to prepare vessel response plans for responding to worst case discharges of hazardous substances and the substantial threat of such discharges. (Recommendation 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Congress Congress should consider amending the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to ensure that owners and operators of nontank vessels that use alternative fuels prepare vessel response plans for responding to worst case discharges of hazardous substances and the substantial threat of such discharges. (Matter for Consideration 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Immigration Detention: Urgent Planning Needed to Avoid Further Waste of Taxpayer Dollars
GAO-26-108663
Sep 24, 2026
Show
1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement The Director of ICE should develop a comprehensive strategic plan to guide its detention expansion efforts that includes goals, activities, and resource needs.
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
View More Recommendations

Related Pages

GAO Contacts

Multimedia

Podcasts

At FEMA, Staff Reductions and Lack of Planning May Impact Readiness
Transcript
Mexican Crime Organizations and the Synthetic Drug Crisis
Transcript
Artificial Intelligence Could Improve Critical Infrastructure Services, But It Comes with Risks
Transcript