DHS to update 20-year-old immigration system

The Homeland Security Department’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division issued a pre-solicitation notice July 24 requesting project management support services for the Office of Detention and Removal (DRO).

ICE Chief Information Officer Luke McCormack said the current DRO system is 20 years old. The office is responsible for enforcing U.S. immigration laws requiring “removable aliens” to leave the United States.

The notice states that the Detention and Removals System Branch, responsible for providing information technology support services for agency applications, has identified a need for assistance in the management and administration of the DRO program.

“We are just in the beginning stages of modernization,” McCormack said at a conference on law enforcement IT sponsored by AFCEA International’s Bethesda, Md., chapter. “ICE is currently securing the funds for a 2008 rollout. The business plan was just put together.”

DHS also wants a Program Management Office, according to the notice, which will provide:

• Development and tracking of all program support documentation.
• Integrated project schedules.
• Maintenance of program cost and schedule.
• Performance measures.
• A program manager with IT management or financial background.