Opportunities for Immigration and Naturalization Service To Improve Cost Recovery and Debt Collection Practices

Gao ID: GGD-84-86 July 13, 1984

GAO reviewed selected revenue-producing activities of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to determine whether INS is recovering the costs of services provided to identifiable recipients. GAO also determined how effective INS has been at collecting debts owed the government.

GAO found that, as of September 1983, INS had delinquent accounts receivable amounting to more than $118 million. Although INS recognizes the need to more fully recover costs and improve collection activities and has taken some corrective actions, it has missed opportunities. INS can more fully recover costs for certain services provided to the airlines and for certain fees related to applications for immigration benefits. Also, INS can more effectively and aggressively bill for and collect debts owed the government.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Arnold P. Jones Team: General Accounting Office: General Government Division Phone: (202) 512-7797


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