FBI Response to OIG Audit of Terrorist Watchlist Nomination Processes

Today, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report entitled “Audit of the Department of Justice’s Consolidated Terrorist Watchlist Nominations Processes.” The report references many of the effective practices used by the FBI in the terrorist-screening process. In response, FBI Assistant Director John Miller made the following statement:

“We are working with the Department of Justice and our partner agencies to evaluate the OIG’s recommendations to ensure the proper balance between national security protection and the need for accurate, efficient, and streamlined watchlisting processes.

“The FBI is also streamlining its international terrorist and domestic terrorist nominations processes to reduce the requirement for manual entry. The FBI has improved its policy concerning non-investigative subjects, to ensure all non-investigative subjects are nominated, modified, and removed from watchlisting in a consistent manner. Considering these ongoing changes, the FBI has provided watchlist training at the annual National Joint Terrorism Task Force (NJTTF) Conference. Additionally, the FBI is scheduled to provide training to 18 New Agents Trainee classes in FY 2008 and develop training curriculum for regional JTTF conferences. Finally, the FBI is working to establish Memorandums of Understanding with its partner agencies to clearly outline each agency’s responsibilities for keeping accurate records and how terrorism information should be used in the consolidated terrorist watchlist.

“Where the OIG identified problems in the nomination process and made recommendations, many of those improvements have already been developed and will be implemented over the next six months. For example, the FBI is in the process of implementing a requirement for field office supervisors to review watchlist nomination forms to ensure sufficient and accurate information prior to submission of the nomination form to FBI Headquarters.

“We will always strive for continued improvement in the conduct of FBI task force coordination and watchlisting processes. We remain committed to working with the Department of Justice to increase coordination and to find best practices aimed at providing service and safety for our nation.”