Request Records Through the Freedom of Information Act
Avoid Delays! Make your FOIA request online.During the national COVID-19 response, CBP is unable to process new paper FOIA requests or deliver records by mail. Get your response faster, keep our workforce safe, and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by making your FOIA request online. |
Use our online FOIA system to request:
Your own records of international travel to/from the U.S., apprehensions/detentions by Border Patrol, and Secondary inspections at Ports of Entry;
Another person's records (if a signed consent is provided/uploaded) for international travel to/from the U.S., apprehensions/ detentions by Border Patrol, and Secondary inspections at Ports of Entry; or
Agency Information such as policies, data, communications, etc.
After you create a FOIAonline account you can submit a FOIA request directly to CBP. When submitting a FOIA request on records that pertain to you, please provide your full name, address, and date of birth. If you are requesting records on behalf of someone else, you need a signed G-28 form (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative), or some other form of signed consent that will allow CBP to release the records to a 3rd party. Once your request is submitted you will receive an acknowledgment and a FOIA tracking number. After your FOIA request is acknowledged you can track the status of your request at any time. Please note that the FOIA process is not intended to be a mechanism for asking questions of CBP. FOIA requests are intended to provide access to CBP records.
To Receive Your Records as Efficiently As Possible
Visit the CBP Newsroom to confirm we have not already posted the records you need.
Request only the records you need, as we can return precise requests faster.
Make your request with the right agency by reviewing the sections below. Records contained in the A-file are processed by USCIS.
Common FOIA Requests
Some records may not be available through the CBP FOIA Office. The table below lists common FOIA requests and the agency/program office that can respond to these requests.
Record/Request Type | Where to Submit FOIA Request |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Programs:
| Enrollment Centers: FAST Global Entry NEXUS SENTRI |
Apprehension by Border Patrol between Official Ports of Entry
| |
CBP Background Investigation | CBP |
CBP Contracts | CBP |
Detention by Border Patrol or at Port of Entry | CBP |
Expedited Removal by Border Patrol or at Port of Entry | CBP |
CBP Human Resources | CBP |
Import Trade Activity (ITRAC) Requests | CBP ITRAC Requests |
I-94 Records | |
Passenger Name Record (PNR) (Travel Industry Reservation Data) | CBP |
Records Regarding My Inspection or Examination upon My Arrival at a U.S. Port of Entry | CBP |
Information Regarding Entry and Exit
| CBP |
Voluntary Return | CBP |
A-File | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |
I-130 Records | USCIS |
N-400 | USCIS |
Petition Status | USCIS |
Deportation Records; Detention and Removal Records | USCIS |
Medical Records (While in Detention) | Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
Inquiries or Resolution Regarding Difficulties Experienced During Travel (If you experience repeated referrals for security screenings or you believe that you have been denied boarding or entry into the U.S. because of inaccurate information in law enforcement databases) | Department of Homeland Security (DHS TRIP) |
Visa/Passport | Department of State |
Concerns about how you were treated by CBP officers, or if you have a general or specific question(s) about CBP or your CBP inspection | CBP Info Center or call (877) CBP-5511 (227-5511) for U.S. Callers or (202) 325-8000 for International callers |
Accessibility
The records received from your FOIA request may not be fully accessible under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Upon request of accessibility assistance, you will be contacted by a representative from our office to address your request for assistance. When requesting this assistance, please indicate your name, a phone number where you can be reached, and the FOIA Case Number in question. Send the request to the FOIA mailbox at cbpfoia508requests@cbp.dhs.gov with the subject line "FOIA Disability Accommodations" or call 202-325-0150 (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339 or https://www.federalip.us/).