Freedom of Information Act Request (FOIA)
Background
Our office always recommends a Freedom of Information Act Request when you have been or think you have been in immigration proceedings in the past. If you do not have your paperwork or feel the government may have certain documents on you in their file that you do not currently possess, our law office will put in a request to the government to disclose all of their evidence and documents relating to your case.
The Department of Homeland Security keeps a file on your case according to your “A number.” It is important, and often critical to winning your case, that our law office has your entire record at our disposal when deciding how to proceed with your case. Requesting a FOIA could sometimes be the deciding factor of whether you will win or lose your case.
If you have ever previous came in contact with immigration in the United States we will be able to make a Freedom of Information Act request on your behalf. Please be sure to have your “A number” ready to give us so we can begin the application.
Procedure
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services uses a three-stage system to process your FOIA request.
- Track 1: Simple requests that do not take a long time to search and review for;
- Track 2: Complicated requests that require additional time for searching and reviewing; and
- Track 3 (the “Fast Track”): Available to those in removal proceedings.
In order to be placed on Track 3, we will have to submit your Notice to Appear (NTA) that was issued to you by the government with the actual FOIA request. Unfortunately, if you are looking to reopen your case after being ordered removed or deported from the United States you cannot benefit from Track 3 processing.
Since your file could be in the possession of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or Customs and Border Protection, our law office sends your FOIA request to all of the agencies to ensure that we receive your complete file. We cover all sides to make sure you are protected.
Benefits
- Peace of mind knowing what materials the government has on your file;
- Better case strategizing; and
- Increased chances of winning your case.
What the Law Office of Armand Jawanmardi Can Do for You
Our law firm understands that FOIA requests can be the deciding factor of whether you will win or lose your case. It is important to have your complete file in our hands to assess what areas of relief you would be able to qualify for under immigration law and how to best proceed to help you win your case.
You need and deserve a law firm and an attorney who will stand by your side when you are making a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. We want to have the honor of representing you. Please contact The Law Office of Armand Jawanmardi for a consultation on what you can expect when filing a FOIA and what we can do for you at (713) 999-9115. We are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions.