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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.pdr regarding 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 ‘Member of Congress a John Katko Member of Congress Abts Mex Nancy Mace Member of Congress — Jefferson Van Drew Member of Congress Cho Rick Scott United States Senator Gl A¥4 Bill Hagerty United States Senator Shue Dare Steve Daines United States Senator he Ron Johnson United States Senator Bel )ahowen Bill Johnson Member of Congress buble: Brian Babin, D.D.S. Member of Congress fo— Dan Crenshaw Member of Congress a David McKinley, P-E. Member of Congress Yaad bly Fred Keller Member of Congress hone Tim Burchett Member of Congress Ann Fils ‘Thom Tillis United States Senator Et), MOL Roger Marshall United States Senator Vu Sl Dan Sullivan United States Senator 7 Josh Hawley United States Senator pa MN Cobbine Susan M. Collins United States Senator Mh. W_ Marco Rubio United States Senator A Byron Donalds Lindsey O. Graham Member of Congress United States Senator Randy K. Weber Marsha Blackburn Member of Congress United States Senator Scott DesJarlais Ted Cruz Member of Congress United States Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. Cynthia M. Lummis Member of Congress United States Senator Gus M. Bilirakis James E. Risch Member of Congress United States Senator Ted Budd Mike Crapo Member of Congress United States Senator Mary E. Miller Member of Congress 2 Dan Meuser Member of Congress Chi Safe Christopher H. Smith Member of Congress SE Darrell Issa Member of Congress eee Lloyd Smucker Member of Congress Charles Fleischmann Member of Congress Opt Meenas — John Kennedy United States Senator jf Reyne John Boozman United States Senator Kevin Cramer United States Senator Se Thin John Thune United States Senator Mike Braun, United States Senator hosege Andy Biggs Member of Congress La? Carlos A. Gimenez Member of Congress acted Ua toes Jackie Walorski Member of Congress Maca AS. Ah Matthew Rosendale, Sr. Member of Congress Edisbho— Debbie Lesko Member of Congress Lig Go ‘August Pfluger ‘Member of Congress wood ils Dusty Johnson, Member of Congress Ze Chris Jacobs Member of Congress PR bry Brad R. Wenstrup, D.P.M. Member of Congress Bam Randy Feenstra Member of Congress te Jeff Duncan Member of Congress BE I— Jake LaTurner Member of Congress odrata Hartuhange, Diana Harshbarger Member of Congress Vglod fp biaria_ Robert J. Wittman ‘Member of Congress “Mike Garcia ‘Member of Congress Davick Kestope David Kustoff Member of Congress Cow Aethn™ Brett Guthrie Member of Congress PH-Vormans Ralph Norman Member of Congress Jos Phebe Brian Fitzpatrick Member of Congress Shien Muth Glenn Grothman Member of Congress Oren. Chan Ben Cline Member of Congress Nalle 0 Joirmenn B William R. Timmons, IV ‘Member of Congress Hous, Fonlau Doug Lamborn Member of Congress fe a are John Rutherford Member of Congress Ann Wagner Member of Congress Kat Cammack Member of Congress Madison Cawthorn Member of Congress Plate. Pete Stauber Member of Congress J Soe John Joyce, M.D. Member of Congress i ‘Tracey Mann Member of Congress wot uel Michael T, McCaul Member of Congress lS Rodney Davis Member of Congress Claklg Fhe Ashley Hinson Member of Congress Ythel> Nicole Malliotakis Member of Congress Ron Eaten Ron Estes Member of Congress Stave hap Steve Chabot Member of Congress Pauw . Andy Harris, M.D. Member of Congress ee Jeff Fortenberry Member of Congress John R. Carter Member of Congress asa Ronny L. Jackson Member of Congress Aa Hoe Russ Fulcher Member of Congress, Zhe pan Glenn “GT” Thompson ‘Member of Congress Cfucine Werreta Besct ler Jaime Herrera Beutler ‘Member of Congress “fel ect Michael Guest Member of Congress (perth ‘Yvette Herrell ‘Member of Congress LE Jason Smith Member of Congress Steve Womack ‘Member of Congress Messe Fohynas Scott Fitzgerald Member of Congress ToS Tony Gonzales Member of Congress Andrew R. Garbarino Member of Congress (LBA Ardem Richard Hudson Member of Congress Bice. b- Louie Gohmert ‘Member of Congress = Barry Moore ‘Member of Congress Ao Ge Clay Higgins Member of Congress Miva fer. Mike Johnson ‘Member of Congress Mood fawaueS, Roger Williams Member of Congress fie Warren Davidson Member of Congress Lamy Bueshon, M.D. Member of Congress AD Young Kim Member of Congress 12 Se, Bill Posey Member of Congress aera John Rose Member of Congress Kav hehe aunt bec (ahah Drew Ferguson Ken Calvert Member of Congress Member of Congress Barry Loudermilk Member of Congress

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