GAO Calls for DHS to Define Inspection Goals for Immigration Detention Facilities

A new federal review has found that the Department of Homeland Security lacks clear performance goals and evaluation measures for several of its immigration detention inspection programs, raising concerns about the effectiveness of oversight efforts at facilities housing noncitizens. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on May 21 recommending that DHS and its agencies implement formal benchmarks to better gauge how well these programs are ensuring the safety and humane treatment of detainees.

The report examined the inspection efforts of four DHS entities: ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight (ODO), the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), the DHS Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), and the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). Each entity has conducted inspections with varying scopes and priorities. Despite nearly all facilities receiving passing marks during inspections from fiscal years 2022 through 2024, each office still found a range of deficiencies. These included issues related to environmental health, sanitation, food service, and medical care.

ODO rated 238 of 241 inspected facilities as acceptable or better, but noted problems with water quality and cleanliness in food service areas. IHSC found compliance in 46 of 47 inspections it conducted, while still identifying recurring problems with healthcare standards and facility sanitation. OIDO, which investigates complaints, reported that 31 of 33 facilities it visited were not in compliance with the specific standards tied to the complaints. OIG cited deficiencies in all 12 of its publicly released inspection reports from the same time period.

While some DHS components have collected data on the number of deficiencies or facilities inspected, the GAO found none had established specific performance targets or outcome-based measures. This lack of structured evaluation makes it difficult to determine whether inspections are achieving their intended goals. The GAO issued three recommendations urging DHS and ICE to set and track clear performance indicators for each of their respective inspection programs. While DHS agreed with two of the recommendations, it declined to commit to the third, citing ongoing organizational restructuring within the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman.

ICE oversaw an average daily population of more than 37,000 noncitizens in over 100 detention facilities during fiscal year 2024. The review was mandated by Congress as part of the explanatory statement accompanying the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report GAO-25-107580

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