How to Request Your Immigration File With a FOIA Request

To get your immigration file, you file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request directly with the agency that holds the records you want: USCIS for your Alien Registration File (A-file) and benefits history, ICE for detention and enforcement records, CBP for border entries and inspections, and EOIR for immigration court files. Most of these requests are now filed online, they are free to start, and if you have an upcoming immigration court hearing you should say so immediately and ask about accelerated processing.

Why your immigration file matters

Your government immigration records can be the single most useful piece of evidence you have. Depending on the agency, your file may contain:

• Copies of past applications and petitions you or someone else filed on your behalf
• Notes from interviews, biometrics appointments, and internal agency decisions
• Entry and exit records, visa and inspection history at the border
• Notices, hearing records, and orders from immigration court
• Enforcement history, including any detention, bond, or removal actions

People request these records to prepare for a hearing, respond to a Notice to Appear, correct an error in the government's records, find an old filing date or receipt number, support a new application, or simply understand what the government has on file. Because the records are split across separate agencies with separate computer systems, you often need to request from more than one to get the full picture.

Which agency holds what

USCIS

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services keeps the A-file and related benefits records: green card, naturalization, asylum, and other applications, along with much of your immigration history.

ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement keeps records related to enforcement, detention, and removal, including detention facility records and custody decisions.

CBP

U.S. Customs and Border Protection keeps records of border crossings, inspections at ports of entry, I-94 arrival/departure records, and encounters at the border.

EOIR

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (part of the Department of Justice) runs the immigration courts and holds the Record of Proceeding for anyone who has been in removal or other court proceedings, including hearing notices, transcripts or audio, and judges' orders.

What to do: step-by-step

1. Identify which agency has what you need. If you are unsure, it is reasonable to file with more than one agency at the same time, since records for one person can be scattered across several systems.
2. File with USCIS at uscis.gov. As of early 2026, USCIS directs most requesters to file online through its first.uscis.gov FOIA system, which requires creating a free USCIS online account first; mailed paper Form G-639 is no longer accepted for most requesters. Because agency procedures change, confirm the current filing method on the USCIS FOIA page before you start. You will need to verify your identity, and first-party requests generally require a notarized signature or a signed declaration made under penalty of perjury.
3. File with ICE. Submit through the portal linked from ice.gov/foia. ICE and CBP share an online records portal (SecureRelease), and requests can also be routed through the Department of Homeland Security's general FOIA public access portal. As of 2026, DHS components have largely stopped accepting mailed FOIA requests, so plan to file online; check the agency page for any exceptions (for example, for detained individuals).
4. File with CBP. Use the same SecureRelease portal or FOIA.gov, as described on cbp.gov. CBP has moved away from accepting mailed, faxed, or emailed requests, so plan to submit online.
5. Request your court file from EOIR. For immigration court records, you generally have two options. If your case is currently pending, a party to the proceedings (the respondent, a parent/guardian, or the attorney or representative of record) can often make a faster Record of Proceeding (ROP) request directly to the immigration court or Board without a FOIA request. For a closed case, you generally file a formal FOIA/Privacy Act request through EOIR's online Public Access Link, described at justice.gov/eoir. EOIR does not use the USCIS G-639 form; it recommends its own identity-verification form (Form DOJ-361) for first-party requests, or Form EOIR-59 when someone else is requesting on your behalf.
6. Keep your confirmation and tracking numbers from each agency so you can check status and follow up.

If you have an upcoming court hearing, ask about expedited processing now

This is time-sensitive. If you have a scheduled immigration court hearing, do not wait for the standard process to run its course. When you file with USCIS, indicate in a brief cover letter that you have a pending immigration court hearing and attach supporting proof, such as a copy of your Notice to Appear (NTA) showing the hearing date. USCIS runs an accelerated processing track (commonly called Track 3) specifically for requesters with a documented, imminent immigration court date; without that documentation, a request for faster handling is likely to be denied, and you generally cannot request both a regular expedite and Track 3 at the same time. Ask ICE, CBP, and EOIR about their own expedited-processing options as well, since standards and availability can change. The earlier you file relative to your hearing date, the more useful the records will be to you or your attorney.

Reading what comes back

Records can arrive as scanned documents, database printouts, or forms with agency codes and abbreviations that are not self-explanatory. A few practical tips:

• Look for dates, receipt numbers, and case numbers first — these help you cross-reference with any notices you already have.
• Some pages may be redacted (blacked out) to protect law-enforcement methods, other people's privacy, or ongoing proceedings. You can generally ask the agency to explain the legal basis for a redaction, and you may be able to appeal it.
• If your file is missing something you expected, ask the agency in writing; records are sometimes split across multiple physical files or held by a different office.
• If you are in removal proceedings or the records affect an active application, have an immigration attorney or a Department of Justice–accredited representative review the file with you. Some entries (like prior removal orders, old addresses, or discrepancies between applications) can have real legal consequences.

Fees, processing time, and appeals

Filing a FOIA request is generally free to submit, though an agency can charge duplication or search fees in unusually large or complex requests, and fee amounts and processing-time estimates change over time. Rather than relying on a fixed number, check the current fee schedule and estimated processing times posted on the agency's own FOIA page at the time you file, and use the portal's status-check feature afterward. If your request is denied in whole or in part, or if you believe records are being wrongly withheld, each agency's FOIA page describes an administrative appeal process, and there is also an option to seek help from the Office of Government Information Services or, ultimately, in federal court.

A note on who can request, and about fraud

Almost anyone can file a FOIA request for records about themselves. If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may also be able to invoke the Privacy Act, which has its own protections. A third party — a family member, friend, or advocate — generally needs your signed, notarized consent to obtain your records, and an attorney acting on your behalf typically files a Form G-28 notice of appearance.

Beware of notario fraud. Filing a FOIA request does not require paying anyone, and getting your file does not by itself fix or advance an immigration case. Be wary of any "notario," unlicensed "immigration consultant," or document-preparation service that charges high fees to "get your file" and then offers legal advice about your case — only a licensed attorney or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice is authorized to give you legal advice or represent you in immigration matters.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration records and deadlines can affect detention, denial, or removal outcomes — consider consulting a qualified immigration attorney or a Department of Justice–accredited representative about your specific situation.