Congress of the United States
Washington, BC 20515
January 20, 2022
‘The Honorable Joseph V. Cuffari
Inspector General
Office of Inspector General
USS. Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, D.C. 20528
Dear Dr. Cuffari,
We write to request that the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) conduct a comprehensive review of the decisions by the Biden Administration that have
led to the worst border crisis in United States history.
As you know, there is significant recent precedent for Inspectors General taking up requests from
members of Congress on issues of great national attention relating to border security and
immigration, regardless of whether the requesting members are in the majority party." Continuing,
this precedent, regardless of partisan affiliation, is critical to the independence of the Office of
Inspector General.
To date, the Biden Administration has not meaningfully complied with congressional oversight of
the 2021 border crisis. This lack of information hinders Congress’ ability to effectively legislate
solutions to both fix the immediate crisis and to ensure that political considerations do not
‘outweigh national security in the future, The Inspector General is best positioned to provide such
apolitical oversight and report to Congress such findings.
Multiple sources have confirmed to Congress that the Biden Administration was wamed by career
professionals that the rapid implementation of several border and immigration policies would lead
to a predictable surge at the border. Our concer is that the Biden Administration proceeded to
implement these policies despite the harm they would cause to our border and immigration system.
Moreover, the Biden Administration did not take adequate steps to prepare for the resulting surge
and as a result, a humanitarian crisis has developed.
Congress and the American people deserve to know if the border crisis was preventable or even
‘worse, intentional. As such, we request a comprehensive review and report of the crisis, related
records, and where applicable, a written response to the following:
1. All information provided to the Biden transition team regarding the border, specifically
what information was conveyed either in briefings, documents, or communications
* hups:/wwwv oig. dhs govisites/defaulUfilesassets!2018-0/O1G-18-37-Jan18.pdrregarding the consequences of undoing the former Trump Administration's immigration
and border security measures;
2. A review of all internal communications between senior DHS appointees and White
House officials regarding the consequences of undoing the former Trump
Administration’s immigration policies;
3. A review and accounting of all meetings and communications between the Biden transition
team and DHS political appointees and non-governmental organizations or advocacy
‘groups regarding the revocation of the former Trump Administration’s immigration and
border security policies;
4. A full accounting of the 2021 border crisis itself, to include:
a,
The total number of illegal aliens who were processed and released into the
interior;
The total number of parole grants,
‘The total number of illegal aliens who have been placed in removal proceedings
including how many have been removed and how many are eligible for immigrant
benefits;
The results of the audit of asylum applications;
‘The total number of illegal aliens who have been placed in expedited removal
proceedings;
The total number of illegal aliens or otherwise inadmissible aliens encountered by
DHS (at the points of entry (POEs) and in between the POEs), who were
subsequently released into the U.S. regardless of the statutory authority utilized to
allow the aliens entry into the U.S;
i, The total number of illegal aliens encountered/apprehended by the United
States Border Patrol (USBP) illegally entering the U.S. who were
subsequently released/brought into the U.S. (this includes any illegal alien
released under a Notice to Appear (NTA), Notice to Return (NTR), or
parole);
1. The total number of illegal aliens USBP directly released
following apprehension/processing (meaning they were not
transferred to another government agency prior to release);
a, Under what authority were they released into the U.S.;
b. The total number provided an NTR, NTA, or parole;
¢. The total number enrolled in an Alternative to Detention
(ADT) program prior to release;
2. The total number of illegal aliens transferred to the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) or the Office of Refugee
Resettlement (ORR);3. The total number of illegal aliens transferred to Immigration and
‘Customs Enforcement (ICE);
4, The total number of illegal aliens transferred to the United States.
Marshals Service (USMS) for prosecution;
ii, The total number of inadmissible aliens encountered at the POEs by the
Office of Field Operation (OFO) who were subsequently released into the
USS. (this includes any inadmissible alien released under an NTA, NTR,
ADT program, or parole);
1, Total number of illegal aliens the OFO directly released following
encountering/processing (meaning they were not transferred to
another government agency prior to release);
a, Under what authority were they released into the U.S.;
b. The total number provided an NTA, NTR, parole; and
¢. The total number enrolled in an ADT program prior to
release;
2. The total number of illegal aliens transferred to HHS/ORR;
3. The total number of illegal aliens transferred to ICE;
4, The total number of illegal aliens transferred to the USMS for
prosecution;
g. The total number of unaccompanied minors (UACs) transferred from DHS to
HHS/ORR;
i, The total number of UACs HHS/ORR who have been released to a
sponsor in the U.S;
ii, ‘The total number of UACs who remain in HHS/ORR custody who have
not been placed with a U.S. based sponsor,
1. The location where these UACs are being housed;
h. A breakdown ofall the states and counties where illegal aliens have been.
resettled;
. A breakdown and description of activities for all non-governmental organizations which
the Biden Administration has partnered with in providing resources for illegel aliens;
A breakdown of all money that has been provided to non-governmental organizations in
2021 to provide services to illegal aliens;
Records sufficient to describe what career officials advised political appointees would be
the consequence of implementing or removing border security and immigration policies;
. An accounting of all funding which DHS spent on soft-sided facilities and all costs to
apprehend, process, care for, and resettle illegal aliens,9. A breakdown of the total “got-aways,” including any criminal alien arrests and gang
affiliations;
10. A breakdown of all vetting procedures used before releasing illegal aliens into the interior
of the country;
11. The total number of deceased illegal aliens encountered; and
12. The total number of suspected victims of human trafficking encountered.
‘Thank you for your assistance in this important oversight matter. This information will be
invaluable to the legislative function of Congress.
Sincerely,
Blise M. Stefanik
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