An Immigration and Customs Enforcement system for tracking performance of a program to review visa applications fails to capture some key metrics, finds a Government Accountability Office report.

The report, dated March 31 but released publically April 21, finds that an ICE system put into place in April 2010 doesn't capture some performance measures of the agency's Visa Security Program. Specifically, the system cannot record investigations opened or closed and the hours spent on them, training to consular and other officials, and assistance provided by Visa Security Program agents.

ICE gained responsibility for the program in January 2004; it requires ICE official to screen visa applications against the Homeland Security Department's Treasury Enforcement and Communications System database of individuals suspected of involvement in violations of federal law and to vet a subset of visa applicants.

ICE officials told GAO auditors they've requested upgrades to the tracking system, but that development delays have prevented their completion.

The GAO report also criticizes data collection related to the program, saying that the data ICE has inputted is riddled with inconsistencies. For example, visa program agents at one overseas post recorded issuing security advisory opinions on more than 13,000 applicants in fiscal 2007, but issuing zero such opinions in fiscal 2008.

"ICE officials indicated that ICE did not provide guidance to the VSP agents on the proper use of the tracking system, which likely resulted in inconsistent use of the system," the report says.

For more:
- download the report, GAO-11-315 (.pdf)

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