A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois regarding immigration detainer records on January 29, 2025. The request, sent by Southern Illinois News, sought access to documents and records showing persons committed to county jails who have had an Immigration Detainer issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency lodged against them since January 29, 2024.
At Southern Illinois News, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In the request, we highlighted our role as a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Given this role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We await the response from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office regarding this matter.
