Knowing your immigration history in the U.S. can be key to facing legal proceedings or detention. The Freedom of Access to Information Act (FOIA) allows anyone, regardless of status, to request records from federal agencies.
Below, we explore how to use FOIA to obtain your immigration record, the steps to follow and expert recommendations for September 10, 2025. You will learn how to obtain your immigration history.
What is FOIA and how does it apply?
FOIA, in effect since 1967, grants access to federal records, including immigration records, subject to exceptions such as national security or privacy, according to FOIA.gov.
Immigrants may request information from agencies such as USCIS, ICE or CBP.
Sally Santiago, an attorney with Attorneys for Hispanics, notes that these documents are essential for clearing up old deportation orders or preparing legal defenses, according to a Factchequeado event in 2025.
Agencies where to request your history
The main agencies for immigration records include USCIS, ICE, CBP, the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
Jacqueline Watson of the American Immigration Lawyers Association notes that FBI records are often less useful for ICE or CBP cases, recommending OBIM for DHS data.
If you have had no contact with immigration, your file may be empty. Here’s how to pull your immigration history.
How to submit a FOIA request
Accordingly, FOIA requests may be submitted online or by mail.
For USCIS, create an account at uscis.gov and complete the form online, the fastest option, according to the agency.
By mail, send Form G-639 to the National Records Center at Lee’s Summit, MO 64064-8010.
For ICE, use ice.gov, email ICE-FOIA@dhs.gov or send the form to their Washington, D.C. office.
Including your full name, date of birth and A-number is crucial.
Information required for the application
On the other hand, the agencies require data such as previous names, country of birth, dates of entry/departure and passport number, according to Florence Otaigbe-Nkwocha, an AILA attorney.
Some may request additional information, such as addresses or arrest records.
Raed Gonzalez Olivieri recommends using a secure address, such as a P.O. Box or that of an attorney, to protect privacy, especially if you have an outstanding deportation order.
Costs and processing times
Still, FOIA does not require an initial fee, but searching for records or duplicating more than 100 pages can incur costs, according to FOIA.gov.
If the fees exceed $25, the agency will notify the applicant.
Response times vary: USCIS averages 4 to 18 months, according to Claudia Bernal Perez.
Online applications allow tracking the status of the process, which speeds up the process compared to postal mail.
Do the requests alert ICE?
Moreover, experts agree that filing a FOIA should not alert ICE.
Gonzalez Olivieri, a 27-year veteran, says there is no evidence that these requests trigger arrests.
However, Bernal Perez suggests consulting an attorney if you have a deportation order, to avoid risks.
Using a lawyer’s address or post office box can add a layer of security, according to Otaigbe-Nkwocha.
Other ways to verify deportation orders
If you suspect a deportation order, contact the EOIR at 1-800-898-7180 or check their website with your A-number.
Watson warns that some people have multiple A-numbers, which can complicate the search.
An attorney can identify the correct agency to obtain complete information, especially in cases of prior detentions or applications such as TPS, according to Gonzalez Olivieri.
Community resources
For assistance with FOIA requests, contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or ICE at 1-866-633-1182.
Organizations such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (1-415-255-9499) offer free support.
In a context of immigration tightening under the Trump administration, learning how to pull immigration history can make all the difference in your case.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
