TransparencyOversight & ethics enforcement

DHS declined GAO's recommendation that its Immigration Detention Ombudsman set inspection performance goals, citing staff reduction notices

Confidence: Confirmed · 1 sourceUnited States · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (DHS)

Also named

Oversight

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

What happened

GAO (GAO-25-107580, May 21, 2025) reviewed the four DHS entities that inspect ICE detention facilities and found that none set target performance levels with measures to track progress. GAO recommended DHS ensure the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) establish performance goals and measures. DHS did not concur, citing a realignment of responsibilities and Reduction in Force notices issued to OIDO employees; it did concur with the two recommendations to ICE. GAO's tracker now says DHS does not plan to act on the OIDO recommendation and that an appropriations law signed April 30, 2026 eliminated OIDO, though the position remains statutorily established.

Sources (1)

U.S. Government Accountability OfficeGAO is making three recommendations for DHS to establish goals and measures to assess facility inspections. DHS concurred with two recommendations. It did not concur with the third to ensure the Immigration Detention Ombudsman establishes goals and measures, noting that DHS is realigning responsibilities and issued Reduction in Force notices to OIDO employees. GAO maintains that DHS should establish goals and measures given the Ombudsman's statutory oversight responsibilities.

Response

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (DHS)

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

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