April 26, 2010

Expert Calls for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to Create Internal Ombuds Program

Mary Giovagnoli, Director of the Immigration Policy Center, says that ICE could substantially improve its performance by appointing an ombudsman "to serve as an internal conscience, taking in reports on individual cases, making sure that policy is followed and serving as an internal watchdog." 


In an interview, Giovagnoli explained that an Ombuds office would function different from the existing programs that respond to internal problems, such as the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Professional Responsibility. Moreover, she sees an ICE Ombuds office serving community stakeholders in addition to internal constituents. Giovagnoli has served as Senior Director of Policy for the National Immigration Forum, Associate General Counsel for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Associate Chief Counsel for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Senior Advisor to the Director of Congressional Relations at USCIS. (Inter Press Service.)

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