David Gootnick, GAO’s director for International Affairs and Trade, told Bingaman, the CNMI only gives access to those databases to federal law enforcement agencies on a case-by-case basis.
But the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, said it’s important that they are given access to those databases.
“ICE stated in its technical comments that relying on one CNMI point of contact to verify immigration status for individuals subject to department investigations is insufficient and could compromise security for ongoing operations,” Gootnick said.
ICE noted that because DHS operates 24 hours per day every week, “it is imperative for the department to have direct access to the CNMI data systems in order to perform the department’s mission with maximum efficiency.”
USCIS, on the other hand, suggested that those databases be linked to its existing systems.
It was the federal government that funded the creation of these databases.
The GAO said the CNMI pledged to cooperate with federal authorities.
“CNMI officials…stated that if the point of contact is unable to respond to future DHS inquiries in a timely manner, CNMI officials would be willing to engage in additional discussions regarding more direct access to LIDS and BMS,” Gootnick added.
