What We Do
Background:
Congress enacted the Inspector General Act of 1978 to ensure integrity and efficiency in government. Both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Act and this Office of Inspector General (OIG) were established by Congress in 2002. The OIG is led by an Inspector General who is appointed by the President and subject to Senate confirmation.
Vision:
Drive transformative change to improve DHS programs and operations and promote a safer homeland.
Mission:
To provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within DHS.
Hotline:
The OIG operates a hotline where DHS employees and others can report fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, or other criminal or noncriminal misconduct. The toll-free numbers to call are 1 (800) 323-8603, and TTY 1 (844) 889-4357; Fax at (202) 254-4297. We prefer you use our Hotline Allegation Form, which allows you to report allegations in detail and to include relevant documents and other evidence.
Annual Performance Plan and DHS’ Core Missions:
Oversight of DHS’ Core Missions
The OIG focuses our oversight on DHS’ core mission areas:
- Preventing Terrorism and Enhancing Security;
- Securing and Managing Our Borders;
- Enforcing and Administering Our Immigration Laws;
- Safeguarding and Securing Cyberspace;
- Ensuring Resilient Response to Disasters
Fiscal Year 2017 OIG Accomplishments:
Dollar Impact:
- Questioned Costs: $2,072,523,242
- Funds Put to Better Use: $62,615,757
- Funds Recovered / Deobligated: $95,167,875
- Restitution: $31,167,787
- Fines: $1,345,929
Activities:
- Reports Issued: 120
- Recommendations Issued: 321
- Recommendations Closed: 352
- Hotline / Whistleblower Complaints Received: 23,789
- Investigations Closed: 156
- Investigations Referred to Prosecution: 312
- Arrests: 141
- Convictions: 118