DHS watchdog to investigate rollout of Trump’s refugee order

The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General is investigating the implementation of President Trump’s controversial executive order suspending the U.S. refugee program and curtailing travel from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The review, announced late Wednesday, was initiated “in response to congressional request and whistleblower and hotline complaints,” according to a statement.

Trump’s order, signed Friday, indefinitely halted the entry of refugees from Syria and suspended the broader U.S. refugee program for 120 days.

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It also blocks all people from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia from entering the United States.

The move sparked protests across the country and has drawn criticism even from Republicans, thanks to a bumpy rollout.

DHS officials and Trump himself have insisted that the initial implementation of the order went smoothly.

The order has sparked more than a dozen legal challenges.

Reports on Saturday indicated chaos at airports as Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) personnel detained impacted travelers who were already in the air when Trump signed the order — including a number of U.S. green card holders.

Reports have suggested that the White House provided little guidance to the DHS about how to carry out the order.

Confusion reigned as to whether legal permanent residents would be affected by the ban, and an 11th hour stay imposed by a federal court also created uncertainty. Some reports alleged that CBP officers failed to comply with a separate restraining order that required the agency to provide legal permanent residents at Dulles Airport with access to attorneys.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Tuesday insisted that “to the best of our knowledge” no CBP officer “intentionally violated the court order.”

According to Wednesday’s statement, “in addition to reviewing the implementation of the Executive Order, the OIG will review DHS’ adherence to court orders and allegations of individual misconduct on the part of DHS personnel.”

“If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider including other issues that may arise during the course of the review.”

The final report will be issued to Kelly.