Two Republican senators are hoping to learn more about investigations into misconduct involving U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees, citing the Trump administration’s plans to rapidly hire 5,000 new border patrol agents.
Highlighting an internal watchdog’s prior investigations into allegations of bribery, drug smuggling and immigration fraud among CBP employees, Sens. Charles Grassley and Ron Johnson wrote to John Roth, the inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security, asking for additional details about 20 closed investigations.
Seeking the entire case files for the inspector general’s probes, the senators said they are searching “to better understand the circumstances of these cases and the Office of Inspector General’s coordination with other federal law enforcement entities to investigate them.”
“It is important that the Border Patrol workforce is dedicated to the mission of border security,” wrote the senators, who chair the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, respectively.
Mr. Grassley and Mr. Johnson noted in the letter sent last week that while they believe “the vast majority of Border Patrol agents are faithful public servants,” they were concerned about instances of alleged corruption within the agency that have garnered headlines in recent years.
President Trump, through an executive order signed Jan. 25, ordered Customs and Border Protection to hire 5,000 additional border patrol agents as soon as possible. But as the CBP is expected to quickly staff up, the lawmakers wanted to learn more about the extent that the agency has dealt with allegations of corruption that could pose a security threat at the border.
The DHS Office of the Inspector General is tasked with oversight of various agencies within the department, conducting audits or investigations to review internal matters. At the conclusion of an investigation, the OIG can make referral of a case to prosecutors if there is evidence of criminal wrongdoing, but without key details publicly disclosed, it can be difficult to track the ultimate outcome of each individual investigation. Other matters may be handled administratively within the agency.
A 2016 report issued by the CBP Integrity Advisory Panel found problems within the agency’s disciplinary system, determining that it was taking too long to resolve misconduct cases and as a result was an ineffective deterrent to corruption of border agents.
“Corrupt CBP law enforcement personnel pose a national security threat,” the report states.
Gangs and drug cartels “employ a variety of methods in an attempt to target, recruit and corrupt law enforcement personnel who then can facilitate the smuggling of drugs and people and other criminal activity,” according to the report. “Such corrupt officials can assist the cartels by providing intelligence and facilitating the movement of large amounts of contraband.”
During a House committee hearing last week on the responsibilities of inspectors general, Rep. Jason Chaffetz also highlighted concern about a lack of information shared about the final outcome of IG investigations.
“Our IGs do great work conducting investigations, and many times their work culminates in a referral to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution. There is little transparency regarding the volume, evaluation, or outcomes for these referrals,” said Mr. Chaffetz, Utah Republican. “We would like to hear more about the referral process and what can be done to make it more efficient and effective.”
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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