United States Immigration Services

Online Guide to U.S. Visas, ESTA, Green Cards & More

United States Immigration Services is a major publisher of immigration guides and legal eBooks. Our do-it-yourself immigration guides are designed to assist immigrants in navigating the complicated United States immigration system. We strive to provide the best information about immigration to the United States.

Use FOIA to Request Your Immigration File

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FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) is a federal law which makes government information available to the public. FOIA was first enacted in 1966. FOIA is based on the assumption that citizens have a right of access to information about their government and that government agencies have a duty of full disclosure of records that are not exempted. FOIA covers all 15 departments, as well as the Department of Homeland Security and 73 other federal agencies in the executive branch of U.S. government. Federal Reserve System and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Freedom of Information Act is not applicable to the President, Congress, or the courts. FOIA does not apply to state governments, even though each of the 50 states has its own freedom-of-information laws, as do many cities. FOIA also applies to USCIS immigration records. Any person can request a copy of their USCIS files, regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents (Green Card holders), or foreign nationals. You must follow specific steps to request your immigration records under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The FOIA (Freedom of Information Act - How to Request an Copy of Your USCIS File) describes the procedures for requesting your USCIS file.

Start Application Immediately
Easy to Understand Instructions
Apply Online or by Mail
Pricing and Fee Information Included
Checklist of Required Documents
Unlimited Online Support

What's included

Overview of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), and how it can help you
Benefits of submitting a FOIA request prior to submitting your immigration application
Instructions and requirements for FOIA requests
How to complete the FOIA request form
Other application methods
Sample FOIA request letters
Administrative appeal procedures
Example of an administrative appeal letter

Judicial appeal procedures
FOIA Request Fee and Mailing Address
List of Documents Required
Information about Filing Fees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
List of all USCIS Offices in the Nation
Directory of U.S. Consulates and Embassies
How to get the most recent United States immigration forms

Download Use FOIA to Request Your Immigration File for more information.

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FOIA Immigration Request :

The Freedom of Information Act, (FOIA), also applies to USCIS immigration records. Any person can request a copy of their USCIS files, regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents (Green Card holders), or foreign nationals. If the information is classified as national safety, business proprietary, personal privacy or investigative, some records and information cannot ever be released. Depending on your circumstances, you might want to request a copy your immigration file before you submit any petitions or applications with the USCIS (formerly INS), or any U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. You can prepare for any questions an immigration officer may ask and have a copy of your file so you know what the government knows about yourself. This is particularly important for those who have applied to the United States in the past or who have previously been there.

Record of entry into the United States and exit out of it

A FOIA Request can be used to request the records of entry and exit of foreign citizens. This information is not usually collected from citizens of the United States who are entering or exiting the country. It is typically collected from foreign citizens who have received an I-94 form and who need a visa to enter the United States.