AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES et al v. UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE

We have added 96 documents from 12 FOIA cases filed between February 13, 2022 and February 19, 2022. 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. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES et al v. UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE (filed Feb 14, 2022)
   The ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties and the ACLU of Southern California submitted two FOIA requests to U.S. Marshals Service for records concerning the extension of a contract with GEO to continue to operate the Western Region Detention Facility in San Diego. The ACLU also requested expedited processing. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, the ACLU filed suit.
   Issues: Choice of format, Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
2. Martin Vargas v. U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement et al (filed Feb 16, 2022)
   Martin Vargas submitted a FOIA request to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for records concerning the circumstances of the death of Vargas’ father from COVID-19 while in the custody of ICE. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency denied Vargas’ request under Exemption 7(A) (interference with ongoing investigation or proceeding). Vargas filed an administrative appeal and the agency upheld its original decision. Vargas also submitted a FOIA request to the Office of the Inspector General about the investigation of his father’s death. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing from the agency, Vargas filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
3. DEFRAIA v. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (filed Feb 14, 2022)
   Daniel DeFraia submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Defense for records concerning Dr. Andrew Mara’s review and evaluation of DOD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and told DeFraia that it was processing his request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, DeFraia filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
4. JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (filed Feb 15, 2022)
   Judicial Watch submitted a FOIA request for records concerning communications between the CIA and attorney Michael Sussman. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
5. EATON v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE et al (filed Feb 16, 2022)
   Benjamin Eaton submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Agriculture for records concerning the $23 million grant to upgrade Uniontown’s sewage system. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Eaton filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Fees, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
6. NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO, INC. et al v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (filed Feb 16, 2022)
   National Public Radio submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Health and Human Services for records concerning the agency’s interactions with TeleTracking Technologies, a government vendor tasked with managing COVID-19 data. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency located three pages of responsive records but redacted records under Exemption 4 (commercial and confidential) and Exemption 6 (invasion of privacy). NPR filed an administrative appeal. The agency told NPR that it would take 12 months to respond to its appeal. NPR then filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
7. PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (filed Feb 17, 2022)
   Protect the Public’s Trust submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Interior for records concerning communications between listed employees of the Office of the Solicitor and Tommy Beaudreau or members of his law firm. PPT also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and granted PPT’s request for a fee waiver. After hearing nothing further from the agency, PPT filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
8. PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST v. U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (filed Feb 17, 2022)
   Protect the Public’s Trust submitted a FOIA request to the Bureau of Land Management for records concerning communications between agency staff and Tommy Beaudreau. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, PPT filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
9. Yadav et al v. U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services et al (filed Feb 19, 2022)
   Hari Ram Yadav and his attorney Adam Rosen submitted FOIA requests to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for records concerning evidence that showed Yadav was involved in fraudulent activities that would prohibit him from remaining in the United States. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and disclosed some records with redactions. Yadav filed an administrative appeal. The agency acknowledged receipt of the appeal. However, after hearing nothing further from the agency, Yadav filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
10. Velasquez v. Flores et al (filed Feb 15, 2022)
    Diego Velasquez filed suit Eliot Viker, an employee of the Rhode Island Department of Health for access to records he thought would show why he could not pay his rent. This is not a FOIA claim.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
11. Velasquez v. Marte (filed Feb 15, 2022)
    Diego Velasquez filed suit Eliot Viker, an employee of the Rhode Island Department of Health for access to records he thought would show why he could not pay his rent. This is not a FOIA claim.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
12. Mulvey v. United States Department of Veteran Affairs (filed Feb 17, 2022)
    John Mulvey submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Veterans Affairs for records concerning when Dr. Raymond Turek began his employment with the Nashville Department of Veterans Affairs. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Mulvey filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Vaughn index