GAO: ICE has not shown a systemwide detention-inspection review

GAO says ICE has not provided evidence of a holistic assessment of whether changes to detention inspections across the Department of Homeland Security collectively provide sufficient oversight. DHS told GAO that ICE uses inspection data and other evidence.

The oversight question comes as the system grew. From April 2025 to April 2026, ICE-authorized facilities generally holding noncitizens for more than 72 hours increased from 128 to 172. Their average daily population rose from 40,587 to 61,817. That is 44 more facilities, about 34%, and 21,230 more people on an average day, about 52%—calculations from the reported figures.

Inspection totals include different kinds of reviews i

Inspection activity varied across four DHS offices. Their reported totals are not directly equivalent: they include different kinds of inspections and reviews.

ODO’s totals changed in both size and composition. Its FY2024 total included 116 rated inspections and 78 follow-ups. In FY2025, the total included 44 ODO-assisted facility self-inspections or special reviews. DHS argued that a lower inspection total does not automatically mean fewer facilities received a rated assessment.

ODO also shifted its schedule to annual inspections at dedicated facilities and inspections every two years at non-dedicated facilities, and generally stopped unannounced inspections. Its self-inspection approach covered non-dedicated facilities averaging 49 or fewer people, as well as dedicated facilities in that population range that had previously received an ODO inspection. It did not apply to every facility with an average daily population of 49 or fewer.

In FY2024, ODO identified 933 deficiencies at 70 facilities under one set of detention standards. Inspections can identify problems involving areas such as medical care, food service and suicide prevention.

Changes differed across DHS offices i

IHSC generally continued its inspection process unchanged. OIG continued inspections, including some shortened one-day inspections in FY2025. It received $20 million in FY2026 for additional detention-facility inspections and oversight, with the funding available through September 2027. A contractor planned about 96 additional inspections and began conducting them in August 2026; that does not mean all were completed.

DHS officials told GAO that OIDO was no longer operating or conducting oversight as of July 2026. The office received no FY2026 appropriation, and its last inspection was in January 2026. GAO noted that the statutory position remained and the 2026 appropriations act had not repealed the law establishing it.

ICE officials said changes to ODO inspections were intended in part to reduce burdens on service providers and help secure detention space, particularly at facilities operated with state, county and local partners. They also described OIDO inspections as duplicative. GAO said ICE had not provided evidence of a holistic assessment considering the changes across DHS offices.

GAO recommended that ICE assess the effects of the inspection changes and whether inspections collectively provide sufficient oversight, then adjust its inspections as appropriate. DHS agreed but asked GAO to close the recommendations based on work already underway. GAO kept both open because it had not received evidence of a comprehensive assessment. The report documents an unresolved assessment gap; it does not establish that inspection changes caused harm or unsafe conditions at a particular facility.