Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Homeland Security
Highlights
What GAO Found
In August 2024, GAO identified 37 priority recommendations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS implemented six of these recommendations leading to improvements, for example, in CBP better using its data to identify and mitigate duty non-payment, risk management for tariff refunds, guidance for designating National Special Security Events, and Office of Intelligence and Analysis privacy oversight and assessments of effectiveness. GAO also closed one recommendation related to the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program as no longer valid, as the statutory authority for the program expired. GAO also removed the priority designation from one recommendation related to Department of Defense support to DHS at the southwest border.
In May 2025, GAO identified 10 additional priority recommendations for DHS, bringing the total number to 39. The 39 recommendations fall into the following six areas:
- improving emergency preparedness and response,
- enhancing information technology and cybersecurity,
- strengthening border security and immigration policies and data,
- improving U.S. Secret Service training accountability,
- countering violent extremism and enhancing domestic intelligence and information sharing, and
- improving management of infrastructure and acquisitions.
DHS's continued attention to these issues could lead to significant improvements in government operations.
Why GAO Did This Study
Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and funds are legally spent, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.
For more information, contact Jason L. Bair, bairj@gao.gov