The United States has long been a prime target for terrorist organizations and individuals seeking to inflict harm on American citizens and institutions. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established to spearhead the nation's efforts in securing the homeland and preventing future acts of terrorism.
A critical component of this mission involves the rigorous screening and vetting of both asylum seekers and noncitizens seeking admission to the United States.
Over the past two decades, the terrorist threat landscape has become increasingly complex and dynamic. Terrorist groups have adapted their tactics, exploiting technological advancements and seeking to capitalize on vulnerabilities in the immigration and asylum systems. As a result, DHS has had to continually refine and enhance its screening and vetting processes to stay ahead of these evolving threats.
One of the most concerning trends has been the rise of "lone wolf" attacks, where individuals with no direct ties to known terrorist organizations carry out acts of violence. These individuals can be difficult to detect, as they often radicalize online and may not exhibit the traditional warning signs associated with terrorist activity.
Another worrying development is the use of asylum and immigration pathways as a means of infiltrating the United States. Terrorist organizations have been known to exploit these systems, sending operatives to seek asylum or gain entry as noncitizens, with the intent of carrying out attacks once inside the country.
In this ever-changing security environment, the need for robust screening and vetting processes has become paramount. DHS, through its components such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals seeking to enter the United States are thoroughly vetted and pose no threat to national security or public safety.
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As the agency responsible for securing the nation's borders, CBP plays a vital role in the screening and vetting of noncitizens seeking admission to the United States. This process involves a multilayered approach that combines biometric and biographic data collection, database queries, and targeted questioning to identify potential threats.
At air, land, and sea ports of entry (POEs), CBP officers collect a range of biometric and biographic data from travelers, including photographs, fingerprints, and personal identification information. This data is then used to query various federal databases, including law enforcement and intelligence systems, to detect any derogatory information or red flags.
For air travelers, the vetting process begins even before their arrival in the United States. CBP's Automated Targeting System (ATS) uses the personal information provided by airlines to query travelers' biographic data against law enforcement, intelligence, and other databases. If a query returns any potentially concerning information, the case is escalated to CBP's National Targeting Center (NTC) for further vetting and coordination with internal and external partners.
Travelers deemed admissible during the primary inspection process are allowed to enter the country. However, those with any potential issues or derogatory information are referred to secondary inspection, where CBP officers conduct additional scrutiny and querying using the Unified Secondary (USEC) system. USEC provides officers with access to a wide range of federal data sources to determine the traveler's admissibility.
In addition to screening and vetting noncitizens seeking admission at POEs, USCIS is responsible for the screening and vetting of individuals applying for asylum in the United States. This process is critical in ensuring that those granted asylum do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
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Individuals seeking asylum in the United States must file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, within one year of their arrival. Once USCIS receives an asylum application, it initiates a series of biographic and biometric screenings to verify the applicant's identity and identify any potential security or public safety concerns.
As part of the asylum application process, USCIS collects the applicant's biometric data, such as fingerprints and photographs, and conducts a range of security checks against various federal databases. These checks are designed to detect any derogatory information or indicators of fraud, national security threats, or public safety concerns.
Following the initial screening, the asylum applicant is scheduled for an interview with a USCIS asylum officer. During the interview, the officer obtains additional information about the applicant's eligibility for asylum, assesses the credibility of their testimony, and determines whether any mandatory bars to asylum apply. The asylum officer then updates the case management system with the findings and prepares a decision, which undergoes supervisory review before the applicant is notified.
Despite the comprehensive nature of DHS' screening and vetting processes, the Department has faced several challenges and limitations that have the potential to undermine the effectiveness of these efforts.
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Accessing Biometric Data from Federal Partners
One of the key challenges faced by CBP is the inability to access all biometric data held by the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. Restrictions on data-sharing have prevented CBP from conducting complete screening and vetting of noncitizen travelers, as it cannot query the full range of biometric information available across the government.
Varied and Inconsistent Inspection Practices at Land POEs
CBP's inspection procedures at land POEs have also been a source of concern, with officers sometimes using varied and inconsistent practices when processing vehicle travelers. In some instances, officers have only queried the driver of a vehicle, rather than all occupants, due to operational pressures and a desire to expedite processing times.
Lack of Biometric Matching Capability at Land POEs
Another limitation is CBP's inability to perform biometric matching on travelers arriving in vehicles at land POEs. While the agency has deployed facial comparison technology at air and pedestrian land POEs, it has yet to identify a viable solution for capturing and comparing the biometric data of vehicle occupants.
Delays in Asylum Application Adjudication and Interim Screening
On the USCIS side, the agency has struggled to adjudicate asylum applications within the statutorily required 180-day timeframe, with over 400,000 cases taking significantly longer to process. Furthermore, USCIS does not have a dedicated procedure or comprehensive technology solution to perform interim screening of asylum applicants whose cases remain pending for extended periods.
Enhancing DHS' Screening and Vetting Capabilities
To address these challenges and strengthen the overall security of the United States, DHS has implemented a range of initiatives and is exploring new technologies and strategies to improve its screening and vetting capabilities.
Improving Data-Sharing and Interoperability
DHS, through its Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), is actively collaborating with the Department of Defense and other federal partners to enhance data-sharing and improve the interoperability of biometric systems. This includes efforts to address the technical limitations that have historically prevented CBP from accessing the full range of biometric data held by DoD.
Developing Biometric Solutions for Land POEs
CBP is also continuing to test and evaluate various camera and imaging technologies to enable the reliable capture and comparison of biometric data for travelers arriving in vehicles at land POEs. The goal is to identify a viable solution that can be deployed to enhance the screening and vetting capabilities at these critical entry points.
Streamlining Asylum Application Processing and Interim Screening
USCIS is taking steps to improve the timeliness of asylum application adjudications and implement more robust interim screening processes. This includes enhancing the automation of security checks, increasing resources dedicated to the asylum program, and developing a comprehensive technology solution to continuously monitor asylum applicants whose cases are pending for extended periods.
Strengthening Oversight and Compliance
To ensure the consistent and effective implementation of screening and vetting procedures, DHS is also strengthening its oversight and compliance mechanisms. This includes the development of policies and guidance to govern the use of non-standard inspection practices at land POEs, as well as the implementation of annual review processes to verify port-level compliance and analyze performance.
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