FOIA Request

[aimar10 7]

Hello,

I just naturalized as a US citizen today. I came here as a student (f-1 visa) and got my GC through my father's status.

I wish to delete/shred all my previous forms that I had printed out.

But I'm unsure about what exactly to ask for. Ideally, I'd like a copy of everything they have in their system about me.

Please help/advise.

[Boiler 45,670]

So you want copies of your file so you can shred them?

Why?

[aimar10 7]

Because I don't wish to keep any documents in my possession that has my social security and other vital info?

[belinda63 3,039]

So why do you need to request more documents with your private information? Do you need paper for your hamster? If you are trying to ask if the government will shred/destroy them the answer is no.

[Boiler 45,670]

Weird he knows he is vetting copies.

[aimar10 7]

I want to see what info and records they have. Geez. What's wrong with people on here? There's a freedom act to benefit citizens like myself, isn't there?

In any case, I got my answer from someone else who was kind enough to pm me. I can email them at uscis.foia@uscis.dhs.gov and request them anything to disclose any info they have about my immigration applications/change of statuses and what not.

[aimar10 7]

Do you need paper for your hamster?

wow. What on earth was that? Am I seeking advice to gain access to your personal files about how your journey started in Iran and ended in the US? Jesus! I thought we were all adults seeking advices and supporting each other, not to post nonsensical sarcastic and unnecessary replies.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

OP must have never heard of NSA

[aimar10 7]

I have, of course. Have you actually applied for it? My father did it and they sent paper along with CDs with details related to his statuses and other applications (including visa/gc etc).

Anyway, nobody seems interested to provide a desirable input but rather, hellbent on making sarcastic and unnecessary comments.

[Boiler 45,670]

You need to read what you posted.

[Dohan 133]

OP I am sorry to say but your original question was not very clear. It sounded like your wanted to request info for the mere purpose of destroying it. As a result the people responding were mildly shocked because we all know, having been through the immigration process ourselves, or for our loved ones, that the US government keeps information about you forever, literally from the moment you applied to US for the first time and through to you becoming a US citizen. The immigration record will never be destroyed, closed, or cleared in any way.

Yes you are absolutely allowed to do a FOIA request, I am glad you have been provided witht he appropriate venue to seek out that information, sorry I am kind of coming here after the fact. Just FYI it may take anywhere from 4-6 months to received the actual info. Speaking from personal experience

[aimar10 7]

Ah. Apologies for the misunderstanding. I just naturalized today so maybe I wasn't thinking properly when I made the posting.

Dohan, basically, I'm curious to see what they have in their system about me. I don't need info about my A number and SSN.

Anyway, I've already submitted my request. It seems like it takes about 3-4 months on an average based on replies on a different forum.

Thank you all.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Ah. Apologies for the misunderstanding. I just naturalized today so maybe I wasn't thinking properly when I made the posting.

Dohan, basically, I'm curious to see what they have in their system about me. I don't need info about my A number and SSN.

Anyway, I've already submitted my request. It seems like it takes about 3-4 months on an average based on replies on a different forum.

Thank you all.

One thing you have to realize about the FOIA unless you ask specific questions you will never get specific information. Like when people get denied at interview and want to know what the CO said at interview. They ask they get nothing or some other mess. You will never get "everything" the US government has on you. Never. So forget that.

If you are concerned about specific things like information gathered as a student at XYZ college. Ask that. Information gathered in XYZ city ask that. You have to be very very specific .

[aimar10 7]

One thing you have to realize about the FOIA unless you ask specific questions you will never get specific information. Like when people get denied at interview and want to know what the CO said at interview. They ask they get nothing or some other mess. You will never get "everything" the US government has on you. Never. So forget that.

If you are concerned about specific things like information gathered as a student at XYZ college. Ask that. Information gathered in XYZ city ask that. You have to be very very specific .

This is the sort of answer I sought. Apparently, I didn't ask right questions. Thanks!

[dwheels76 5,468]

This is the sort of answer I sought. Apparently, I didn't ask right questions. Thanks!

You are welcome. I know the frustration. I have had friends request information and like 6 months later (its a slowwwwww process) they get nothing close to what they were asking). So be as specific as you can. You know the government.