ICYMI: DHS OIG: @USCIS allowed employees denied national security eligibility to continue working in sensitive immigration positions for years — including one case spanning more than 12 years. A DHS Inspector General report identifies significant security and personnel vetting failures involving employees responsible for immigration, asylum and adjudication decisions. Among the findings as of April 30, 2025: 14 employees whose national security eligibility had been denied or revoked remained in sensitive positions. Ten were still active, averaging approximately seven years after being found ineligible. One remained for more than 12 years. 13 employees continued working without finalized suitability determinations despite completed background investigations uncovering concerns including marriage fraud, tax evasion, potential money laundering and contact with individuals illegally residing in the U.S. 27 additional employees had been granted suitability exceptions, meaning USCIS accepted potential risks or lacked sufficient information to fully determine suitability. The report details several concerning cases, including an employee who improperly approved immigration benefits for friends and relatives, another who made unauthorized searches involving themselves and family members in a sensitive law enforcement database, and another who concealed foreign contacts and dual citizenship information. Additional findings extending into 2026: In March 2025, DHS upheld the denial of one employee's security eligibility. As of June 2025, that individual was still working as an asylum officer. Separately, an employee hired in October 2023 was found to have a history of immigration fraud. USCIS confirmed the fraud in May 2024 but did not suspend the employee's eligibility to hold a sensitive position until February 2026. The employee resigned in March 2026. USCIS disputes portions of the OIG’s conclusions, arguing the report misapplied security standards and omitted important context, including employee appeal rights and restrictions on sensitive duties. The OIG stands by its findings. USCIS and DHS concurred with all four recommendations. Two have estimated completion dates of September 30, 2026, with broader policy changes planned for 2027. * The audit examined records as of April 30, 2025, and was conducted between May 2024 and December 2025. oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/fi…