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ICE Website Legal Information

Thank you for visiting ICE.gov, and reviewing our privacy policy, FOIA information and EEO data. We remind you that if you link to a website outside of the Department of Homeland Security, you are subject to the policies of the new website.

Privacy Policy
FOIA
EEO Data

Privacy Policy

Information Collected and Stored Automatically

If you visit our site to read or download information, we collect and store the following information about your visit:

  • The name of the Internet domain (for example, "xcompany.com" if you use a private Internet access account, or "yourschool.edu" if you are connecting from a university's domain) and the IP address (a number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you are using the Internet) from which you access our site;
  • The type of browser and operating system used to access our site;
  • The date and time you access our site;
  • The Internet address of the Website from which you linked directly to our site; and
  • The pages you visit and the information you request.

This information is primarily collected for statistical analysis and technical improvements to the site. This government computer system uses software programs to create summary statistics, which may be used for such purposes as assessing what information is of most and least interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. In certain circumstances, however, we may take addtional steps to identify you based on this information and we may share this information, including your identity, with other agencies.

If You Send Us Personal Information

If you choose to provide us with personal information, such as by sending an e-mail or by filling out a form and submitting it through our Website, we will use that information to respond to your message or to fulfill the stated purpose of the communication. Remember that e-mail is not necessarily secure against interception. If you communication is sensitive or includes personal information you may prefer to send it by postal mail instead.

We may share the information you give us with another government agency if your inquiry relates to that agency. In other limited circumstances, such as responses to requests from Congress and private individuals, we may be required by law to disclose information you submit. Before you submit personal information, such as on an online form, you may be given more specific guidance as to how your personal information may be used.

Electronically submitted information is maintained and destroyed according to the principles of the Federal Records Act and the regulations and records schedules of the National Archives and Records Administration, and in some cases may be covered by the Privacy Act and subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Cookies

"Cookiesquot; are small bits of text that are either used for the duration of a session ("session cookies"), or saved on a user's hard drive in order to identify that user, or information about that user, the next time the user logs on to a Website (quot;persistent cookiesquot;). This Website does not use persistent cookies, but does use session cookies to provide streamlined navigation throughout the site. These session cookies are deleted from the server soon after your session ends and are not collected or saved.

Security

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this Government computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Anyone using this system expressly consents to such monitoring and is advised that if such monitoring reveals evidence of possible abuse or criminal activity, such evidence may be provided to appropriate law enforcement officials. Unauthorized attempts to upload or change information on this server are strictly prohibited and may be punishable by law, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 1996.

Terms of Use and Other Policies

  1. This World Wide Web (WWW) site is provided as a public service. Every effort is made to provide complete and accurate information. However, with the volume of documents available, often uploaded with short deadlines, we cannot guarantee there will be no errors. We will do our best to correct errors brought to our attention. With respect to documents and information on this Website, neither the U.S. Government, the Department of Homeland Security, nor their employees and contractors make any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, and freedom from computer virus.

  2. Information presented on this WWW site is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credit is requested.

  3. Websites listed on the links page are not under the control of DHS. Therefore, we make no representation concerning the content of these sites, nor can the fact that we provided this listing serve as an endorsement by DHS of any of these sites. We are providing this list as a convenience only.

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FOIA

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Contact:

Director
Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Program
425 Eye Street, N.W., 2nd Floor
ULLICO Building
Washington, D.C. 20536
(202) 514-1722

Please note: FOIA requests should be directed to the Immigration Office that maintains the records sought, if known, or to the Immigration Field Office nearest your place of residence.

Conventional Reading Room:

111 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., 2nd Floor
ULLICO Building
Washington, D.C. 20536
(202) 514-3278

The review of paper materials require an appointment.

Electronic Reading Room (ERR):

The ERR includes frequently requested records, opinions, policy statements, and staff manuals/instructions to staff, created after November 1, 1996.

Component Description:
Three bureaus of the Department of Homeland Security are charged with the administration and enforcement of the immigration and nationality laws: the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. Files are maintained on immigrants into the United States, transient visitors, undesirable aliens, violators of immigration and naturalization laws, petitioners for naturalization, and enemy aliens. Records pertaining to the investigation of illegal entries, smuggling, the use and production of fraudulent documents, as well as administration of the agency are also maintained.

Multitrack Processing:
FOIA requests are placed on one of two tracks. Requests for a relatively small number of specific documents that require 20 days or less to process are placed on the first track. More complex or voluminous requests requiring more than 20 days to locate, review, and process are placed on track two.

How to Make a FOIA or PA Request

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, requires the agency to make its records available to the public to the extent that those records are not otherwise exempt from the disclosure requirements of the Act (e.g., classified national security, business proprietary, personal privacy, and investigative information).

The Privacy Act (PA), 5 U.S.C. § 552a provides lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens a right of access to records filed in an agency system of records, which are retrieved by their name or personal identifier.

ALL REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING. FORM G-639 may be used for this purpose. Requests must be for access to existing records. The FOIA /PA Program Office will not “create” records for the purpose of a FOIA or PA request. The following 4 steps outline "How to Make a FOIA or PA Request":

On your written request, include a daytime phone number so that we may contact you; fee in searching, copying, and reviewing records may apply, see below.

Provide as much information as possible on the subject matter; this will help expedite the search process. Verification of Identity, Verification of Guardianship, Accompanying Persons, and Amendment Request are requirements for making a PA request ONLY. PA requests should be marked "Privacy Act Request."

Mail the request to the nearest FOIA/PA office (see FOIA Offices Location). Requests can be faxed; however, the original copy must be mailed and received by the FOIA/PA Program Office before information is released.

Requests are deemed to constitute an agreement to pay any applicable fees that may be chargeable up to $25 without notice. Most requests do not require any fees; however, if fees exceed $25, we will notify you beforehand.

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Last Modified 10/12/2004