WASHINGTON, D.C. — As lawmakers are working to draft legislation to address the surge in migrants at the southern border, a new watchdog report is shedding light on the need more oversight and improved management at the immigration detention facilities that hold migrants.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office looks at how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates the facilities.

According to the report, ICE does inspect the facilities to make sure they are providing proper medical care and that they are clean, but it said the agency is not following up on those findings to flag potential problems.

READ: Affidavit: Mount Dora elderly couple stabbed to death at senior living community

“It doesn’t analyze those inspection results in a way that would allow the agency to determine whether or not there are recurring problems or areas in need of improvement,” said Rebecca Gambler, a Director with GAO. “So, we recommended that ICE regularly analyze its data on inspection results to identify any trends or whether or not there are any areas in need of improvement.”

The report also points to concerns about making sure all migrants who are detained can make informed choices about their medical care.

The findings said ICE requires informed consent documentation for medical care given at ICE facilities, but not for those who may need more invasive medical care at an offsite clinic or hospital.

READ: Police release photo of man believed to have carjacked someone at gunpoint at OIA

The report recommends making that a requirement.

“We think that’s really important because informed consent refers to that discussion between a medical care provider and an individual about what the care will be. What the risks and benefits may be,” said Gambler.

The report also found that ICE has been spending millions of dollars a month on beds regardless of whether they are being used.

READ: Goldman Sachs to lay off up to 3,200 employees

VIDEO: U.S. Dept. of Education proposes student loan “safety net” to cap payments, cut interest Millions of borrowers across the country could soon see a change in how they pay off their federal student loans. (Kirstin Garriss, CMG Washington News Bureau/WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group