We also identified problems with the way the database maintains information about stolen VWPP passports. We recommended that INS improve its collection and dissemination of VWPP-related intelligence and expand successful methods for identifying and preventing illegal entry. This OIG has identified the removal of illegal aliens as one of the 10 most serious management challenges facing the Department. Voluntary departure allows eligible illegal aliens to leave the country through a streamlined process, which saves the federal government detention and removal costs. INS district officers grant voluntary departure to apprehended aliens, while EOIR immigration judges grant voluntary departure to aliens in removal proceedings.
Immigration law precludes many convicted felons from receiving grants of voluntary departure.
Our inspection found that criminal history checks identifying felons not eligible for voluntary departure are not performed on all illegal aliens granted voluntary departure. As a result, INS district officers and EOIR immigration judges have inappropriately granted voluntary departure to some felons. We found that INS enforcement of voluntary departure orders is minimal and that INS does not seek to apprehend aliens who fail to leave. We also found that INS does not know which aliens granted voluntary departure actually leave the country because INS lacks an effective departure verification system. We recommended that INS and EOIR institute stronger controls to ensure that criminal history checks are completed and introduced as evidence in removal proceedings.