Clarity is the Foundation of Your Strategy
If you have had any past interactions with immigration authorities, whether at the border, in a courtroom, or through a mailed application, knowing exactly what is in your government file is the most important first step you can take. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request allows us to pull back the curtain and see exactly what the government knows about your history.
Immigration cases are won or lost on specific facts. Without a complete copy of your records, any legal strategy is just a guess. Our immigration law attorneys specialize in obtaining and analyzing these files from all relevant agencies to ensure that the path we choose for you is based on reality, not memory.
Understanding Your Past to Protect Your Future
“Brushes” with immigration in the past can create hidden obstacles for your current goals. Any previous immigration history will come up in your file when you apply for any future benefit. Whether you were turned away at the border years ago or had an application denied that you didn’t fully understand, a FOIA request provides the answers. While these requests can take several months to process, the peace of mind and the strategic advantage they provide are well worth the wait.
Our Clear, Step-by-Step Process
Agency Identification
Meticulous Filing
Our team prepares and submits FOIA requests, ensuring all personal identifiers are correct so the government can locate your complete file without delay.
Expert Analysis
Strategy Consultation
Full-Service Support for Your Journey
We believe that you deserve to speak directly with the people handling your future. When we receive your FOIA results, you won’t just get a stack of papers in the mail; you will have the opportunity to speak directly with an attorney who will listen to your story, assess the government’s records, and answer every question you have.
Our priority is to ensure you are the primary decision-maker in your case. Once we understand your history and present the available options, you can decide which strategy aligns best with your life and your family’s needs.
Why Work with Us?
Analyzing a government file requires a sharp eye for legal nuance and an understanding of how different agencies interact. When you work with us, you get:
- Exhaustive requests sent to all relevant agencies (USCIS, CBP, EOIR, etc.)
- Direct attorney review of your entire immigration history
- A clear explanation of complex findings in plain, human language
- Strategic roadmaps built on hard facts, not assumptions
- A dedicated team that handles the months-long follow-up with the government
Our FOIA Services
USCIS File Requests
CBP Border Records
EOIR Court Records
OBIM Biometric History
DOS Visa Records
FBI Identity History Summary Checks (Fingerprint-based)
State & Local Criminal Court Dispositions
Strategy Reconstruction
Frequently Asked Questions
A FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and Privacy Act request allows you to access your immigration records from agencies like USCIS or ICE. We assist in requesting and reviewing these records to help understand your immigration history and strategy. The Privacy Act specifically gives you the right to see records the government keeps about you personally.
Once you receive your records, we will help you review them for any issues or discrepancies that could affect your immigration case, such as prior denials or unresolved matters. This helps us build a stronger case for your immigration petition. Crucially, we use these records to verify that your “memory” of past events matches the government’s “official” timeline.
Yes. While having an A-Number is helpful, it is not a requirement. We can submit a request using your full name, date of birth, and country of birth to help the government locate your records. Many of our clients come to us specifically because they have lost their original paperwork, and the FOIA process is how we help them recover those vital details.
Filing a FOIA is a routine, administrative procedure used by thousands of people every year to understand their legal standing. It is generally considered a safe way to gather information and does not trigger enforcement actions or “alert” agencies to your location. In fact, knowing exactly what the government has in your file is often the most important step in protecting yourself and building a strong defense.
As of early 2026, under the DHS FOIA Final Rule, major agencies like USCIS and CBP generally no longer accept paper requests by mail or email from the public. We stay ahead of these technical shifts for you, submitting your request through the required secure portals (like FIRST or SecureRelease) to ensure it is received and tracked immediately. This helps avoid the long delays and lost paperwork common with the older, manual systems.
