FOIA Activity: 124 new FOIA court documents, plus case descriptions

We have added 41 documents from 6 FOIA cases filed between December 27, 2020 and January 2, 2021. Note that there can be delays between the date a case is filed and when it shows up on PACER. If there are filings from this period that have yet to be posted on PACER, this FOIA Project list may not be complete.

Click on a case title below to view details for that case, including links to the associated docket and complaint documents.

1. JAMES MADISON PROJECT et al v. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (filed Dec 28, 2020)
   The James Madison Project and Daily Beast Editor Noah Shachtman submitted a FOIA request to the General Services Administration for records concerning the agency’s decision to recognize Joe Biden as president-elect. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, JMP and Shachtman filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
2. ROTH et al v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE et al (filed Dec 29, 2020)
   Frimet and Arnold Roth submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records concerning the extradition request to Jordan to extradite Ahlam Tamimi to the U.S. to stand charges stemming from her terrorist attack against Israel. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, the Roths filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
3. Vidal-Martinez et al v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (filed Dec 29, 2020)
   Jesus Vidal Martinez, who was detained in Indiana awaiting deportation, submitted a FOIA request to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for records concerning agency staff involved in his detention. The agency acknowledged receipt of his request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Vidal Martinez filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
4. Porschatis v. McDonald et al (filed Dec 29, 2020)
   Steven Porschatis submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Veterans Affairs for records concerning for a Compensation and Pension Exam pertaining to his veterans’ benefits. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Porschatis filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
5. Porschatis v. McDonald et al (filed Dec 29, 2020)
   Steven Porschatis submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Veterans Affairs for records concerning for a Compensation and Pension Exam pertaining to his veterans’ benefits. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Porschatis filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
6. Gonzalez v. U.S. Department of Justice et al (filed Jan 2, 2021)
   Joey Gonzalez submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for records concerning the release of his personal information by the Department of Agriculture in a lawsuit he brought against ADR Vantage. Gonzalez also submitted two FOIA requests to the Department of Agriculture for records concerning two USDA employees. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from either agency, Gonzalez filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees

In addition, we have added 83 documents from 14 cases, with earlier filing dates, that have recently appeared on PACER.

1. E.O.C. Ord, Inc. v. Internal Revenue Service (filed Dec 24, 2020)
2. E.O.C. Ord, Inc. v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (filed Dec 24, 2020)
3. AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN v. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (filed Dec 23, 2020)
4. Albert v. National Security Agency (filed Dec 23, 2020)
5. Hawkinson v. Executive Office for Immigration Review (filed Dec 23, 2020)
6. American Civil Liberties Union Foundation v. Department of Justice et al (filed Dec 22, 2020)
7. AMERICAN OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (filed Dec 22, 2020)
8. LOUISE TRAUMA CENTER, LLC v. UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCMENT et al (filed Dec 22, 2020)
9. HETTICH v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES et al (filed Dec 22, 2020)
10. Hoffmann v. U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (filed Dec 22, 2020)
11. NEWMAN v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS et al (filed Dec 21, 2020)
12. CITIZENS UNITED v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (filed Dec 21, 2020)
13. Hooker v. Department of Veterans Affairs (filed Dec 21, 2020)
14. Bradley v. Washington et al (filed Dec 16, 2020)