Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides the public a means to request and obtain federal government records, while still protecting sensitive information from public release. The government must make available to any requester its records unless specifically exempted or excluded in accordance with Title 5 U.S.C. 552, Freedom of Information Act (PDF, 18 pages - 79 KB).
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) FOIA Office aims to release as much information as possible, consistent with the need to protect classified or sensitive information. However, some records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions or excluded from the Act's coverage by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.
FOIA Requester Service Centers
On December 19, 2005, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13,392, setting new standards for federal agency FOIA programs by ordering that agencies emphasize a new citizen-centered approach to FOIA with a results-oriented focus. The Department established FOIA Requester Service Centers within each component, and appointed a FOIA Public Liaison. The FOIA Requester Service Center serves as an initial point of contact for FOIA requesters to receive status updates and any appropriate information about their current requests. Requesters can contact the FOIA Public Liaison to raise concerns about the service received from the FOIA Requester Service Center.
Contact
I&A FOIA Requester Service Center
Under Secretary, Office of Intelligence & Analysis
By mail or phone:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
FOIA Officer/Requester Service Center Contact: Quinton Mason
Phone: 202-447-4265
Fax: 202-282-8191
By e-mail:
I&AFOIA@hq.dhs.gov
Department of Homeland Security FOIA Public Liaison
By phone:
William H. Holzerland
Phone: 703-235-0790
Fax: 703-235-0443
By e-mail:
foia@hq.dhs.gov