Congressional subcommittee examines waste and fraud at Department of Homeland Security

The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security convened on March 11, 2025, to address significant concerns regarding waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Biden-Harris administration. This hearing marked the first of the 119th Congress, focusing on the mismanagement of taxpayer dollars and the need for reform within DHS.

Chairman of the subcommittee opened the session by highlighting the extensive misuse of funds during the past four years, emphasizing that inefficient spending undermines national interests. He noted that various recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Inspector General had been ignored, which could have saved taxpayer money and improved DHS operations.

A key point of discussion was the handling of illegal immigration, with the committee revealing that over 11 million illegal aliens were encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection from 2021 to January 2025. Many of these individuals were reportedly released and supported by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) funded by taxpayer money. A specific example cited was the $17 million wasted on unused bed space for illegal aliens in hotels, funds that could have been better allocated to law enforcement resources.

The hearing also scrutinized the Biden administration's mass parole scheme, which allowed for the entry of illegal aliens into the U.S. without adequate vetting, raising national security concerns. This included the controversial Operation Allies Welcome, which facilitated the entry of Afghan nationals following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Additionally, the committee criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its misallocation of resources, particularly in supporting sanctuary cities and NGOs instead of focusing on securing the southern border. The GAO has placed FEMA's disaster delivery on its 2025 high-risk list for waste and fraud.

Cybersecurity issues were also addressed, with concerns raised about the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) diverting its focus from protecting critical infrastructure to policing misinformation online. This shift has reportedly increased vulnerabilities within DHS networks, including those of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The hearing underscored the urgent need for accountability and reform within DHS to prevent further misuse of taxpayer funds and to enhance national security. The committee plans to continue its oversight efforts to ensure that taxpayer resources are used effectively and responsibly.