Homeland Security IG announces review of immigration ban rollout

The Office Inspector General (OIG) for the Homeland Security Department (DHS) announced late Wednesday that it will be reviewing DHS’ implementation of President Trump’s immigration ban, signed by Mr. Trump on Friday.

Beginning Saturday, thousands protested at airports across the U.S. against the detention of refugees, as well as holders of valid U.S. visas and green cards, from seven majority-Muslim nations: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Protests expanded on Sunday to numerous cities and airports. 

Four federal judges issued stays on parts of the executive order, demanding that refugees in transit be released and not returned to their countries of origin, but lawyers representing some detained travelers claimed that CBP and DHS workers were not fully complying with the judges’ orders.

The IG’s review comes in response to requests by members of Congress and by whistleblower and hotline complaints.

Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin requested the review earlier this week. In a statement, the two called the president’s executive order “rushed and poorly drafted,” and they said it might violate immigration law by failing to recognize the due process and equal protection rights of legal permanent residents.

The two also said they were “alarmed” by allegations that CBP officers and other DHS personnel may have disobeyed an order to provide detained legal permanent residents at Dulles International Airport with access to attorneys.

The inspector general will also be looking into DHS’ adherence to court orders, as well as allegations about the misconduct of some DHS personnel.