The Dept. of Homeland Security's (DHS's) border enforcement system, known as TECS (not an acronym), is the primary system available for determining admissibility of persons to the U.S. It is used to prevent terrorism, and provide border security and law enforcement, case management, and intelligence functions for multiple federal, state, and local agencies. TECS became difficult and expensive to maintain because of technology obsolescence and its inability to support new mission requirements, so in 2008, DHS began an effort to modernize the system. It is being managed as two separate programs working in parallel by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This report (1) determined the scope and status of the two TECS Mod (modernization) programs; (2) assessed selected CBP and ICE program management practices for TECS Mod; and (3) assessed the extent to which DHS is executing effective executive oversight and governance of the two TECS Mod programs. Tables and figures. This is a print on demand report.

DHS's border enforcement system, known as TECS, is the primary system available for determining admissibility of persons to the United States. It is used to prevent terrorism, and provide border security and law enforcement, case management, and intelligence functions for multiple federal, state, and local agencies. It has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain because of technology obsolescence and its inability to support new mission requirements. Accordingly, in 2008, DHS began an effort to modernize the system. It is being managed as two separate programs working in parallel by CBP and ICE. GAO's objectives were to (1) determine the scope and status of the two TECS Mod programs, (2) assess selected CBP and ICE program management practices for TECS Mod, and (3) assess the extent to which DHS is executing effective executive oversight and governance of the two TECS Mod programs. To do so, GAO reviewed requirements documents and cost and schedule estimates, and determined the current scope, completion dates, and life cycle expenditures. GAO also reviewed risk management and requirements management plans, as well as governance bodies' meeting minutes.

The United States Government Printing Office (GPO) was created in June 1860, and is an agency of the U.S. federal government based in Washington D.C. The office prints documents produced by and for the federal government, including Congress, the Supreme Court, the Executive Office of the President and other executive departments, and independent agencies. A hearing is a meeting of the Senate, House, joint or certain Government committee that is open to the public so that they can listen in on the opinions of the legislation. Hearings can also be held to explore certain topics or a current issue. It typically takes between two months up to two years to be published. This is one of those hearings.

DHS's mission is to lead the unified national effort to secure the United States by preventing and deterring terrorist attacks and protecting against and responding to threats and hazards to the nation. As part of that mission, DHS is responsible for ensuring that the nation's borders are safe and secure, that they welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and that they promote the free flow of commerce. Within the department, CBP is responsible for customs, immigration, and agricultural processing at ports of entry. 4 ICE is responsible for the investigation and enforcement of border control, customs, and immigration laws.

Strengthening enforcement and border security : the 9/11 Commission staff report on terrorist travel : joint hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Citizenship and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, first session, March 14, 2005.