OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE

On June 12, 2000, the Inspections Division sent copies of the draft report to the Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) with a request for written comments. The Commissioner responded by memorandum dated August 3, 2000 (APPENDIX III). Our analysis to INS's response to each of our 12 recommendations follows.

Recommendation 1 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan to conduct a feasibility study to measure the effectiveness of current training provided to the airline industry. INS needs to provide us a copy of this study so that we may close this recommendation.

Recommendation 2 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's proposal to contact the Air Transport Association (ATA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) 30 days after the next User fee Advisory Committee meeting to solicit additional input regarding airline industry personnel that require training. INS needs to provide us a copy of the results of this initiative with ATA and IATA so that we may close this recommendation.

Recommendation 3 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's proposal for improving its notification to the airline industry regarding proposed training schedules. INS needs to provide documentation confirming implementation of the initiatives listed in INS's response (Appendix III) so that we may close this recommendation.

Recommendation 4 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan to issue written operation instructions to the field by the end of FY 2000 that will outline procedures permitting the release of tactical information/intelligence to the airlines. INS needs to provide us a copy of the documentation confirming the completion of this recommendation so that it can be closed.

Recommendation 5 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan to include the designation of a senior local port official (to approve all tactical/intelligence information) in its written operation instructions to the field. INS needs to provide us a copy of the documentation confirming the completion of this recommendation so that it can be closed.

Recommendation 6 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan to issue written operation instructions to the field by the end of FY 2000 that will promote the timely release of tactical information/intelligence to the airlines. INS needs to provide us a copy of the documentation confirming the completion of this recommendation so that it can be closed.

Recommendation 7 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan to issue written operation instructions to the field by the end of FY 2000 that will direct the designation of an employee at each major international airport to devote at least some time to actively work with the airlines (at the port-of entry) to foster relationships that promote the exchange of tactical information on a regular basis. INS needs to provide us a copy of the documentation confirming the completion of this recommendation so that it can be closed.

Recommendation 8 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan for developing a mechanism (in conjunction with the attendees at the January 2001 User Fee Advisory Committee meeting) that will serve as a method for reporting advice to the Commissioner. INS needs to provide us a copy of the documentation confirming the completion of this recommendation so that it can be closed.

Recommendation 9 - Resolved - Open. Although the OIG disagrees with the assertion that INS currently sends a representative who speaks with authority for all of INS at the User Fee Advisory Committee meetings, we understand that the Deputy Commissioner will consider designating an INS point of contact with senior airline executives who can provide adequate representation and speak with authority for INS at these meetings. INS needs to provide us the name and position of the individual selected by the Deputy Commissioner in this regard in order for us to close this recommendation.

Recommendation 10 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan to use a flip chart to record outstanding issues raised at the User Fee Advisory Committee meetings and to provide status reports on these issues to all attendees within 45 days of the meeting. INS's plan, however, also needs to address future status reports for those items that remain pending after the initial 45-day status report is provided to attendees. Upon clarification of this point, and INS confirmation that this recommendation has been implemented, we can close the recommendation.

Recommendation 11 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan that the Deputy Commissioner reinforce the importance of headquarters staff attendance at the User Fee Advisory Committee meetings. INS needs to provide us copies of the documentation confirming the completion of this recommendation so that it can be closed.

Recommendation 12 - Resolved - Open. The OIG agrees with INS's plan to have INS Port Directors at all major international airports begin holding quarterly meetings with local airline industry personnel by the end of FY 2000. INS needs to provide us copies of the documentation confirming the completion of this recommendation so that it can be closed.