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FOIA/PA from USCIS
- Thread starter zaraza
- Start date
zaraza said:Anybody ever requested information on their USCIS case by using FOIA/PA? Please, share your experience. My husband is going to file one today. We just wanted to know what actions if any were taking place on his case and when.
You can file a FOIA with USCIS. They have 20 days to send you a letter saying that they will send you copies of the file as required by the law. And they will do that.
I'm also thinking about requesting FOIA/PA from USCIS... I hope this doesn't contadict submitting FOIPA to FBI... I also think that if (at some point) I have to go for an InfoPass appointment, FOIA/PA probably should be done before that. Please correct me if I am wrong...
Do you think using G-639 (http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/g-639.pdf) is a good idea? If so, should it be "Privacy Act (PA)" rather than FOIA request?
Thank you
Do you think using G-639 (http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/g-639.pdf) is a good idea? If so, should it be "Privacy Act (PA)" rather than FOIA request?
Thank you
qim said:I'm also thinking about requesting FOIA/PA from USCIS... I hope this doesn't contadict submitting FOIPA to FBI... I also think that if (at some point) I have to go for an InfoPass appointment, FOIA/PA probably should be done before that. Please correct me if I am wrong...
Do you think using G-639 (http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/g-639.pdf) is a good idea? If so, should it be "Privacy Act (PA)" rather than FOIA request?
Thank you
USCIS and FBI are two separate governmental entities, thus your FOIA with either one will have no effect whatsoever on the other.
Infopass is there for you to answer any of your questions, or check the status of your case, submit an address change, or acquire some forms. FOIA is handled by a different office within the District Office.
Thanks Publicus for your replies. Yes, USCIS site http://uscis.gov/text/aboutus/foia/request.htm says that requests for alien files should be mailed to MO.
Have you used form G-639 (http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/g-639.pdf) when you sent your request to USCIS? The form actually asks whether you want FOIA or PA, and I'm not sure what to choose. Any thoughts? (Two days ago, I mailed FOIPA (http://foia.fbi.gov/privacy_request.pdf) request to FBI.)
Thank you
Have you used form G-639 (http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/g-639.pdf) when you sent your request to USCIS? The form actually asks whether you want FOIA or PA, and I'm not sure what to choose. Any thoughts? (Two days ago, I mailed FOIPA (http://foia.fbi.gov/privacy_request.pdf) request to FBI.)
Thank you
After over two months since last post in this thread, I guess I can say something from a personal experience...
1. On 10/28/05, I mailed G-639 request to USCIS NRC (certified, return receipt).
2. Return receipt came back rather quickly (in 7 to 10 days as far as I remember).
3. On 12/05/05, I received a letter from NRC (dated 11/30/05). They said they received my request on 11/30/05. They also assigned a control number to my request. The letter also talked a lot on various costs, including those associated with CDs. They also provided a telephone number (816-350-5570) to call if I want order records on CD. But they said nothing about when I would receive the records.
4. On 12/13/05, I called the above number and asked about status of my request. I was told that because of very large demand for records, I can receive the records in 7 to 12 months. When I asked on how expedite this, the answer was that there has to be very strong documented reason for this.
5. On 12/15/05, I received one more letter from NRC (dated 12/13/05). It said it was in response to my status request. It then said:
"... Your request is currently number 68253 on the list of 74119 pending cases to be worked. ... We will answer your request as quickly as possible. ..."
That's it for now. Frustrating, isn't it?
1. On 10/28/05, I mailed G-639 request to USCIS NRC (certified, return receipt).
2. Return receipt came back rather quickly (in 7 to 10 days as far as I remember).
3. On 12/05/05, I received a letter from NRC (dated 11/30/05). They said they received my request on 11/30/05. They also assigned a control number to my request. The letter also talked a lot on various costs, including those associated with CDs. They also provided a telephone number (816-350-5570) to call if I want order records on CD. But they said nothing about when I would receive the records.
4. On 12/13/05, I called the above number and asked about status of my request. I was told that because of very large demand for records, I can receive the records in 7 to 12 months. When I asked on how expedite this, the answer was that there has to be very strong documented reason for this.
5. On 12/15/05, I received one more letter from NRC (dated 12/13/05). It said it was in response to my status request. It then said:
"... Your request is currently number 68253 on the list of 74119 pending cases to be worked. ... We will answer your request as quickly as possible. ..."
That's it for now. Frustrating, isn't it?
I had the exact same experience. I would post more along with scanned letters received from the NRC, when i get home, i will post on here and we can discuss that issue.qim said:After over two months since last post in this thread, I guess I can say something from a personal experience...
1. On 10/28/05, I mailed G-639 request to USCIS NRC (certified, return receipt).
2. Return receipt came back rather quickly (in 7 to 10 days as far as I remember).
3. On 12/05/05, I received a letter from NRC (dated 11/30/05). They said they received my request on 11/30/05. They also assigned a control number to my request. The letter also talked a lot on various costs, including those associated with CDs. They also provided a telephone number (816-350-5570) to call if I want order records on CD. But they said nothing about when I would receive the records.
4. On 12/13/05, I called the above number and asked about status of my request. I was told that because of very large demand for records, I can receive the records in 7 to 12 months. When I asked on how expedite this, the answer was that there has to be very strong documented reason for this.
5. On 12/15/05, I received one more letter from NRC (dated 12/13/05). It said it was in response to my status request. It then said:
"... Your request is currently number 68253 on the list of 74119 pending cases to be worked. ... We will answer your request as quickly as possible. ..."
That's it for now. Frustrating, isn't it?
Sony