Anyone use FOIA to get an earlier K-1 visa "A number"?

[TL to AZ 0]

Silly me... I do not have records of a K1 I submitted in 2006. She made it thru all the hoops, but went home right away...

Now many years later I have to produce that previous K1 beneficiary's A-number....

Anyone have to request this info from Uncle Sam using a FIOA?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Silly me... I do not have records of a K1 I submitted in 2006. She made it thru all the hoops, but went home right away...

Now many years later I have to produce that previous K1 beneficiary's A-number....

Anyone have to request this info from Uncle Sam using a FIOA?

I would put "unknown" and leave it at that. Use whatever other information you have to identify the former fiancee.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

Silly me... I do not have records of a K1 I submitted in 2006. She made it thru all the hoops, but went home right away...

Now many years later I have to produce that previous K1 beneficiary's A-number....

Anyone have to request this info from Uncle Sam using a FIOA?

I've used FIOA for CBP records - took several months to get the info back.

My lawyer tells me the FIOA for USCIS takes even longer (like 1+ year).

I wouldn't waste the time.

[Mike B. 231]

FOIA is one of the few things I know a little about. You should know the following:

1. It is an extremely long process. It can easily take two years to get a response to a FOIA request.

2. The government does not have to release information that "could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" under FOIA, which would probably cover an A Number.

3. There's some portion of the Immigration and Nationality Act that prohibits the government from releasing certain information about visas, immigration, and the like under FOIA, although I'm not clear on what that section is is or if it would apply in your case.

If you made it clear that you were looking for your own A Number, they might look beyond the last two problems assuming you sign a privacy waiver they send you, but you still have an issue with the time frame.

EDIT: I just re-read your post. Since it's not your A Number and you presumably are no longer in contact with the previous beneficiary, I'd think your chances are slim to none. At a bare minimum they'll probably want a signed privacy waiver. Identification numbers could definately "reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."

Edited July 28, 2009 by Mike B.