Freedom of Information Act Requests

[chel102885]

I only sent in the FBI prints for my husband? We sent it in like a month ago. Would it be bad to send in a request for the FOIA even though we already sent the FBI prints first? I am so confused the immigration counsler that helped us did not say one thing about an FOIA?

[momof2]

What we are gonna do if we can find a notary after hrs is send an Foia to CBP and USCIS I read somewhere to check both of them cause sometimes their records dont match and also FBI just to cover all bases.

[Liadan23]

no it wouldn't be bad to send in an FOIA. they go to separate places. and, as noted above, a lot of times it's a good idea to do both because sometimes what shows up on one will not be on another. especially most immigration violations, except for deportation, will not be on FBI, but will show up on FOIA for CBP.

[Tropical]

SAMPLE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST LETTER

A sample FOIA request letter is shown below. Keep a copy of your request. You may need to refer to it in further correspondence with the agency.

Date

Agency FOIA Officer
Name of agency or agency component
Address (see discussion on page 3 on whom to contact)

Dear __________________:

Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. subsection 552, I am requesting access to [identify the records as clearly and specifically as possible].

If there are any fees for searching for or copying the records, please let me know before you work on my request. [Or, please supply the records without informing me of the cost if the fees do not exceed $_____________ which I agree to pay.]

If you deny all or any part of this request, please cite each specific exemption you think justifies your refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures available under the law.

Optional: If you have any questions about handling this request, you may telephone me at _________(home phone) or at _____________(office phone).

Sincerely,

Name
Address
Enclosure (proof of identity)

Anyone have insight to DOJ (immigration court) FOIA requests?

[Tropical]

EOIR FOIA request:

Records are disclosed upon receipt of a written request (preferable accompanied with a completed form DOJ-361). Requests should thoroughly describe the records sought and include identifying information such as full name and alien registration number (if known). If the "A" number is not known or the case occured before 1988, please give date of Order to Show Cause, country of origin, and the location of the immigration hearing. To file a FOIA request, send a letter to:

Office of the General Counsel
Attn: FOIA Service Center
Executive Office for Immigration Review
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600
Falls Church, VA 22041

The letter should be on letterhead and be signed.

Wonder if you can also send in the G639 for this?

Edit: I guess not

EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW -- Requests for Executive Office for Immigration Review records should be addressed to:

Office of the General Counsel
Attn: FOIA Service Center
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Department of Justice
Suite 2600, 5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
(703) 605-1297

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is responsible for the administrative adjudication and interpretation of the immigration laws, including provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. EOIR includes the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ), and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO). The BIA is a quasi-judicial body which hears appeals of decisions rendered by Immigration Judges and certain officers of the Department of Homeland Security. Records of proceedings (ROPs) are maintained at the BIA while cases are pending. Upon completion of the proceeding at the BIA, the ROPs are returned to the Immigration Courts. OCIJ oversees the work of the Immigration Courts, which maintain records of cases brought before them involving removal proceedings and related matters. OCAHO's administrative law judge hears cases related to the employer sanction, immigration-related anti-discrimination, and immigration related document fraud provisions of law. A copy of the official OCAHO case files may be obtained through the FOIA Requester Service Center. EOIR also maintains various administrative records.

Special information required: For aliens, "A" number. Please do not submit requests on DHS Form G-639.

FOIA Requester Service Center: telephone number (703) 605-1297; FOIA Public Liaison: Crystal Souza, telephone number (703) 605-1297.

Publicly available information: Published decisions by the BIA and OCAHO Policy Statements, Staff Manuals and Instructions to Staff, Index of Frequently Requested FOIA-Processed Records. Other types of public information are available on EOIR's website at www.justice.gov/eoir.

Reading room location: BIA Law Library, Suite 1200, 5201 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.

Multi-track processing: Three tracks: (1) simple, (2) complex, (3) expedited.

[Tropical]

FYI:
EOIR FOIA request mailed - 08/09/10 received - 09/02/10

[ojosazules]

so how many different FOIA requests are there? i submitted a FOIA to CBP for my boyfriend, and it came back clean. we're looking to file an appeal, but i have no idea what i need to send back. he was stopped twice and fingerprinted in Douglas, AZ when crossing over from Mexico, so we want to see if it's on his record. is a FOIA to EOIR something separate? also, if anyone knows what i would need to send back for the appeal i would greatly appreciate any advice! thank you

[Sandy88]

Im sorry to ask this question but what does foia mean?

[Los G]

Freedom of Information Act

[Mariposa1223]

Ok I am a little confused as to what exactly I need to send in for my hubby. We are going to get ready to fill out the I-130 but I am not sure if I should wait for the results of this or not? Here is a little background. He is from ES and came over in 2001 he was caught crossing border and he used a Mexican ID so that he would not be sent all the way back to ES. When he was caught he said that he was fingerprinted, picture taken and then released. He was not given any papers to return and he didn't see a judge. He of course does not remember the name he used. He said they spent about four hours there and then he turned right back around and crossed over sucessfully and has been here ever since. We are hoping it was just a catch and release but we want to be for sure. Thanks for your help.