The updated edition of FOIA Requests and Other Background Checks describes the various federal agencies and components that generally hold immigration records, explains how to request records and appeal denials or incomplete responses, and provides tips for certain circumstances, such as representing minors or immigrants in removal proceedings. The appendices include sample FOIA requests to the Department of Homeland Security and EOIR (including appeals); sample federal complaints and advocacy FOIAs to DHS; sample Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and state background check records; and many other resources for both private attorneys and nonprofit practitioners seeking records in immigration cases.
Highlights
This resource provides in-depth discussions of complex legal and procedural issues in easily accessible language, complete with step-by-step instructions for filling out FOIA and background check requests. Also included are detailed and up-to-date explanations of the importance of filing records requests and descriptions of the main types of records requests, the various criminal background checks available, including FBI background checks, state background checks, and court-specific records requests,
the overlapping criminal and law enforcement databases, what documents they contain and who can access them, and much more.
New in this Edition
- Chapter 2: Updated information on how to file for FBI, state, or other court records.
- Chapter 3: Updated details on filing FOIAs by mail or online with USCIS, ICE, CBP, and OBIM as forms and procedures have changed since the 2019 version of this manual was published.
- Chapter 4: Up-to-date instructions on filing FOIAs with DOS, DOJ, and more.
- Chapter 5: Details about how to file for ORR files and other juvenile records.
- Chapter 7: Updated information about the administrative appeals process and Federal court litigation, including updated caselaw and resources for further information in this area.
