Survey of INS's Anti-Smuggling Units
Report Number I-2001-003
March 2001

U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service

HQOIA 110/8.2-C

MEMORANDUM FOR:	Mary W. Demory Assistant Inspector General for Inspections Department of Justice
FROM:	Mary Ann Wyrsch Acting Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service
SUBJECT:	Survey of INS's Anti-Smuggling Units, Inspection Number A-2000-017

I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the subject report and solicited input from the senior management official who is most significantly impacted, the Executive Associate Commissioner for Field Operations. I reviewed the response and concur with the conclusions and observations. The response is attached for your review.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Stanley, Audit Liaison, at (202) 514-8800.

Attachment

cc:  Vickie L. Sloan, DOJ Audit Liaison

U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service

HQOPS 50/18.12-C

MEMORANDUM FOR:	THE ACTING COMMISSIONER
FROM:	Michael A. Pearson Executive Associate Commissioner Office of Field Operations
SUBJECT:	Survey of INS's Anti-Smuggling Units, Inspection Number A-2000-017

In a memorandum, dated February 14, the Assistant Inspector General (OIG) for Inspections transmitted a draft inspection report: Survey of INS' Anti-Smuggling Units, Inspection Number A-2000-17. Included in that report were two recommendations that the OIG contends will significantly improve the Anti-Smuggling program of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service/INS). Furthermore, the INS has been asked to respond to the following two recommendations:

RECOMMENDATION 1: Determine whether a single chain of command for the anti-smuggling program would be more effective than the current structure. In doing so, consider whether to: (a) end collocation of ASUs in the same city: and (b) dedicate ASU agents in district offices full time to anti-smuggling operations.

INS RESPONSE: The INS agrees that there are some coordination and structural issues to be examined in order to make the Anti-Smuggling Units more effective and efficient. The structure of the anti-smuggling program is complex with many stakeholders, including: The Investigations program, the U.S. Border Patrol, labor unions representing INS officers, the Office of Field Operations, the Office of Policy and Planning, and the Office of Commissioner. In examining the structure and staffing of ASU's the INS will also take into consideration the increasing integration of the Service's enforcement strategies and capabilities.

RECOMMENDATION 2: Reevaluate the practice of routing time-sensitive communications from communications from ASUs through the regional offices and, if feasible, eliminate the routing through regional offices altogether.

INS RESPONSE: The INS agrees that there are some coordination and efficiency issues to be evaluated in order to streamline ASU communications through the Service. The structure of the anti-smuggling program and the routing of time-sensitive communications is complex with many stakeholders at the district, regional, and headquarters levels to be considered.

If there are any questions, or if there are any additional questions, please contact James Chaparro, Director, Smuggling/Criminal Organizations Branch at (202) 353-2739.