Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute. FOIA generally provides that any person has a right to request access to federal agency records. FOIA also establishes a presumption that records in the possession of agencies and departments of the Executive Branch of the U. S. government are accessible to the people, except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.
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Department of Homeland Security Management Directives
The DHS Directives Systems is the primary means of establishing policies, requirements, and responsibilities to articulate on the Department’s missions, programs, and activities. The system is made up of Directives and Instructions. Directives briefly build on DHS policy statements, policies, missions, programs, activities, or business practices of a continuing nature that are authorized by statute. Instructions implement or supplement DHS Directives by providing uniform procedures and/or prescribing the manner or a specific plan or action for carrying out the policy, operating a program or activity, and assigning responsibilities.
FOIA Library
DHS maintains FOIA libraries for itself, the Office of the Secretary (including the Military Advisor’s Office and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs), and the following components: CISOMB, DNDO, ESEC, FEMA, MGMT, NPPD, OHA, OGC, OLA, OPA, PLCY, and TSA.
FOIA Contact Information
Contact information for filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Reports
Read more about our work and accomplishments.
Check Status of Request
DHS Requests Response Time for Processed and Pending Requests - Average No. of Days Simple is 21.24 Days and Complex is 111.59 Days. For component specific response times, please refer to the latest FOIA annual report.