Immigration FOIA
request service.
Our immigration FOIA request service is a professional public records retrieval service that files with USCIS, ICE, CBP, and the Department of Justice to get your immigration records. If you need to hire someone to file an immigration FOIA request — we handle everything. Starting from $99. Completely private. No attorney required.
Have a pending immigration hearing? USCIS and EOIR are required to prioritize your immigration records request. Mention your hearing date in the intake form and FileFOIA flags your case for the expedited track — reducing processing from months to weeks. Learn more →
Four agencies hold your
immigration records.
Immigration records are split across multiple federal agencies. Our immigration FOIA request service knows exactly where each type of immigration record lives. Unlike trying to navigate this yourself, our done-for-you public records retrieval service files with the correct agency every time — avoiding months of unnecessary delay.
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
Holds your A-File — the most complete record of your immigration history. Applications, petitions, correspondence, decisions, and biometric data. When you hire FileFOIA to file an immigration FOIA request, we submit directly to USCIS for A-Files, I-130s, I-485s, I-589s, N-400s, and all other petitions.
A-Files · Applications · PetitionsImmigration & Customs Enforcement
Holds detention records, deportation orders, removal records, enforcement actions, and 287(g) program records. We file with ICE for any enforcement encounter, detention history, or removal proceeding.
Detention · Removal · EnforcementCustoms & Border Protection
Holds records of every U.S. entry and exit, border apprehensions, secondary inspection records, and port-of-entry encounters. Entry history not in your USCIS file is likely at CBP. Our immigration FOIA request service files there separately.
Entry/Exit · Apprehensions · PortsImmigration Court & State Dept
EOIR holds immigration court hearing records, judge decisions, and Board of Immigration Appeals files. The State Department holds consular visa processing records. Our immigration records service files with both when needed.
Court Records · Visas · AppealsEvery immigration record you’re
entitled to through FOIA.
Under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act, you have the right to request your own immigration records from any federal agency. Our immigration records service files for all of the following:
| Record Type | Agency | Who Can Request | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alien File (A-File) — complete immigration history, all documents ever filed | USCIS | You or your attorney | 2–6 months |
| Visa applications & petitions — I-130, I-485, I-589, I-864, N-400, and others | USCIS | You or your attorney | 2–8 weeks |
| U.S. entry & exit records — every recorded border crossing | CBP | You or your attorney | 4–12 weeks |
| Detention records — facility, dates, conditions, release information | ICE | You or your attorney | 4–12 weeks |
| Deportation & removal orders — all removal proceedings and orders | ICE / EOIR | You or your attorney | 4–8 weeks |
| Immigration court records — hearing transcripts, judge decisions, BIA appeals | EOIR / DOJ | You or your attorney | 2–6 weeks |
| Consular visa records — embassy processing, visa denials, DS-260 | State Dept | You or your attorney | 4–16 weeks |
| Third-party immigration records — another person’s file with their written consent and identity documentation Requires: signed consent form, copy of subject’s government-issued ID, and completed Form DOJ-361 or equivalent. FileFOIA provides all required forms in the intake process. |
USCIS / ICE | Written consent + ID required | Varies |
Pending immigration hearing?
Your FOIA request jumps the line.
If you or your client has a scheduled hearing before an immigration judge, USCIS and EOIR are legally required to prioritize your immigration records request. This is called the expedited track — and most requesters don’t know it exists.
Our expedited immigration FOIA request service is a professional FOIA filing service add-on for clients with pending hearings. We include proof of the hearing date, push for the priority processing track, and follow up aggressively — reducing wait times from months to 2–3 weeks in most cases.
This is especially critical for immigration attorneys who need the A-File before a removal hearing. Our expedited immigration FOIA request service handles this routinely at a $99 flat fee — significantly less than what an immigration attorney would charge for the same filing.
File an Expedited Request — $99How our immigration FOIA request service
works — done for you, start to delivery.
Tell us what you need
Our done-for-you immigration FOIA request service starts with a simple intake form — your name, A-Number if known, date of birth, and which records you need. Our immigration records service identifies which of the four agencies holds your records and drafts a targeted request for each one.
We file with the right agency
We file with USCIS, ICE, CBP, EOIR, or the State Department — whichever agencies hold your specific records. Our immigration records service gets it right the first time so you avoid months of unnecessary delay.
We track and follow up
Our immigration FOIA request service monitors your case, follows up when agencies miss statutory deadlines, and escalate to the expedited track if you have a pending hearing. You receive plain-English email updates at every step.
Records delivered and analyzed
When your immigration records arrive, our immigration FOIA request service analyzes what was produced against what was requested — flagging gaps, missing documents, and improper exemptions. Everything organized and delivered to your secure client portal and Dropbox folder.
You don’t need to be an attorney
to get your immigration records.
Immigrants & Families
Know exactly what’s in your government file before your next application, interview, or hearing. Our immigration records service gets your A-File, visa history, and enforcement records so there are no surprises. You are legally entitled to your own records — no citizenship required to request them.
Immigration Attorneys
FOIA is the primary discovery tool in immigration proceedings. Our immigration FOIA request service handles every step — filing, tracking, and gap analysis — so you focus on legal strategy. Think of us as a professional FOIA filing service built for immigration law firms. We offer retainer accounts for immigration law firms handling high volumes of A-File requests.
Advocates & Nonprofits
Immigration advocacy organizations use FileFOIA to document enforcement patterns, expose policy violations, and support their clients. Our immigration FOIA request service files completely privately — unlike platforms that publish requests publicly — protecting the confidentiality of your clients and investigative work.
Your immigration records request
is never made public.
Privacy matters in immigration cases more than almost any other context. Some platforms publish every request on a searchable database — including who filed it, which agency, and what was requested. That’s a serious risk when immigration enforcement is involved.
Our immigration FOIA request service operates entirely privately — making it the safest way to hire someone to file an immigration FOIA request. Your identity and what records you’re seeking are never disclosed to anyone — their clients’ cases stay confidential.
File a Private Immigration RequestImmigration FOIA request service pricing.
Hire us for less than an attorney charges for the same work.
Attorneys charge $500–$1,500 to file the same requests our immigration FOIA request service handles starting at $99. A simple filing for one specific visa petition takes us 20 minutes. A coordinated multi-agency request across USCIS, ICE, and CBP with a pending hearing and consent documentation takes hours. We price accordingly — here is exactly what each immigration FOIA request type costs.
Government agency fees (if any) are passed through at cost and billed separately. Most immigration FOIA requests have zero agency fees. Not sure which tier applies? Book a $99 consultation and we’ll tell you exactly what you need.
Read this before filing
if you have a removal order.
USCIS may share your FOIA request information with ICE and other DHS components. If you have a pending removal order, are undocumented, or have had prior enforcement contact, filing a FOIA request for your own records may carry risk. Immigration enforcement agencies have access to FOIA request logs.
FileFOIA is a public records filing and management service — not a law firm. We cannot advise you on the legal risks specific to your immigration situation. If you are undocumented, have an active removal order, or have had prior ICE contact, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney before using any immigration FOIA request service — including ours — through us or anyone else.
If you need a referral to a qualified immigration attorney or a free legal aid organization in your area, contact us and we will connect you with resources before you file anything.
Immigration FOIA request service —
your questions about hiring us answered.
Yes — any person can file an immigration records request without legal representation. Our immigration FOIA request service acts as your authorized agent, handling the entire process starting from $99. No attorney, no legal background, no knowledge of FOIA required. For complex cases involving immigration court litigation, we recommend consulting an immigration attorney in addition to using our service.
USCIS processes over 600 immigration records requests per day and is frequently backlogged. Simple requests for specific documents typically take 2–8 weeks. Full A-File requests take 2–6 months on average. If you have a pending immigration hearing, you may qualify for the expedited processing track — mention this in your intake form and we flag your case for the expedited track. See USCIS FOIA guidance for more detail.
No. Federal FOIA allows any person — regardless of citizenship or immigration status — to request their own government records. Our immigration FOIA request service files You can hire FileFOIA to file an immigration FOIA request on behalf of anyone, anywhere. You are legally entitled to your own immigration file under 5 U.S.C. § 552 and the Privacy Act.
Yes, with their written consent. We include the correct consent forms in every third-party request. Without consent, immigration records can only be requested by the subject of the record or their authorized attorney. We handle the consent documentation as part of the intake process.
Immigration agencies frequently cite privacy and law enforcement exemptions to redact records — sometimes beyond what the law permits. Our immigration FOIA request service analyzes every exemption cited in your response and challenges those that do not legally hold up. If your records are improperly withheld, we draft a targeted appeal through our FOIA appeals service.
Yes — and many do. FileFOIA is used by immigration law firms across the country to handle A-File requests, expedited filings for clients with pending hearings, and appeals of denied or over-redacted productions. We offer retainer accounts for high-volume practices. See our attorney services page for details.
Your Alien File (A-File) is the master record the U.S. government maintains of your entire immigration history — every application, petition, entry, exit, correspondence, and decision. An A-File averages 250+ pages. It’s the single most important document in any immigration case. Our immigration FOIA request service requests your A-File from USCIS, which is the custodian of all A-Files.
Other FileFOIA services
you may need.
Know what’s in your
government immigration file.
Hire our immigration FOIA request service — a professional done-for-you public records retrieval service filing with USCIS, ICE, CBP, and EOIR. Starting from $99. Completely private. Completely private. No attorney required.