Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari plans to conduct an audit into the agency’s surveillance and data collection practices after an October 23rd letter from Senators raised questions about Customs and Border Protection (CBP)’s domestic surveillance practices. IG Cuffari’s November 25th letter responding to the Senators indicates he will he complete an audit to ensure that DHS and its components “have developed, updated, and adhered to policies related to cell-phone surveillance devices.”

Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, an Indian national, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy and general conspiracy to commit identification fraud, access device fraud, money laundering, and impersonation of a federal officer or employee.