FOIA Requests & Resources

Open The Government believes in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as an antidote to the deeply entrenched secrecy surrounding an immigration enforcement system that has allowed for the proliferation of unaccountable and abusive government policies and practices. Government records are generally available to the public through FOIA requests if the requested records relate to the administration of the public’s business. The key is to determine the type of existing data or records that would be most useful to your request, and then file an information request(s) seeking the information. Records could mean emails, forms, memos, expense reports, videos, photos, or spreadsheets. The process can be long and complicated, and we are here to help along the way.

The following are information requests submitted as part of OTG’s FOIA trainings to give you an idea of the kind of information others have requested. Our team can help you submit and track FOIA requests. We can also assist with relevant appeals, and analyze responses if needed. Contact us if you have any questions at info@openthegovernment.org.

FOIA Requests & Status

Issue Requested By / From Status
Local officials working alongside ICE to deport immigrants Requested by Freddy Martinez / Colorado Migrahack
Requested from Teller County (Denver, Colorado)		 Submitted 9/27/19
Status: In Progress
FOIA about a proposed detention center that was proposed for Northern Virginia Requested by Omar Perez
Requested from General Services Administration (Washington, DC)		 Submitted 1/28/20
Status: In Progress
FOIA to learn more about CBP’s cultural impact assessments, after outrage at the destruction of sacred sites to build a border wall Requested by Josh Houston
Requested from Customs & Border Patrol (Dallas, Texas)		 Submitted 2/15/20
Status: In Progress
Border Patrol and CBP to learn more about its “BOCAR” SWAT teams deployed to sanctuary cities Requested by Josh Houston
Requested from ICE (Austin, TX)		 Submitted 2/16/20
Status: In Progress