FAQ: Freedom of Information Act

ASK A QUESTION Have a question that isn’t answered on this page? submit your question using this form and it will be added to the page. If you provide your email we will send the answer to your email as well (your email address will not be shared with anyone). Please enable JavaScript in your … Read more

HOW TO: Make A FOIA Request

How to use the Freedom of Information Act to request a copy of your A-File (or Alien File) from Immigration to see all documents and other information that the U.S. Government has regarding your past immigration filings, entries, stops by immigration, How to File With USCIS How to File With CBP How to File With … Read more

USCIS Pushing Online FOIA Requests Hard

The Freedom of Information Act 5 U.S.C. § 552, is the United States’ federal law that requires the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased or uncirculated information and documents controlled by the U.S. Federal Government upon request [full text of 5 U.S.C.§552]. The act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures, … Read more

Temporary Protected Status Extension and Redesignation for Ukraine & El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan

Temporary Protected Status Extension and Redesignation for Ukraine On Aug. 18, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Ukraine for TPS for 18 months. The extension of TPS for Ukraine allows current beneficiaries to retain TPS through April 19, 2025, if they meet eligibility requirements. Existing beneficiaries of TPS for Ukraine seeking … Read more

UNLAWFUL PRESENCE BARS CAN RUN IN THE US, BIA & USCIS AFFIRM

UNLAWFUL PRESENCE AND THE THREE/TEN-YEAR-BAR Under the unlawful presence grounds of inadmissibility, the three- and ten-year bars at INA § 212(a)(9)(B) penalize people who are present in the US. without any lawful immigration status for more than 6 months and 12 months respectively. This could be overstaying a visa by failing to depart the US. … Read more