A new report from the Justice Department Office of Inspector General finds that INS security procedures at US airports are deficient. The report is a follow-up on a 1999 audit that found problems at all 42 of the airports surveyed. The new report focused on 12 airports that account for a significant percentage of people admitted to the US. Which airports were surveyed, as well as details about some of the problems, has not been released for security reasons.

According to the report, the INS failed to implement any of the suggestions from the 1999 audit, had not discussed the problems with airlines, and had not even told airport inspectors about the results of the audit. In addition to many of the same problems, the new report found many other problems, including inadequate testing of security and communications systems. The report says that the primary cause of these problems is that the INS does not regard airport security as its responsibility.

One of the most significant problems found during the prior audit is that inspection areas, including rooms that are used to hold people for secondary inspection, are inadequately guarded. This was blamed in large part on the INS’s unwillingness to pressure airlines and airport authorities to comply with the relevant provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These problems continued to exist as of the time of the new audit, in large part because rather than act on the recommendations made by the Inspector General, the INS began its own audit of airport security.

INS personnel defended the agency, saying that its ability to correct problems is largely dependent on airlines and airports, and that the powerful lobbies representing these industries make it impossible for the INS to force them to comply with facilities requirements. However, it is likely that with the renewed importance of border security, the new Homeland Security Department will work to improve security at these facilities.