FOIA Request to Pope County Sheriffs Department Regarding Inmate Records with ICE Detainers on February 18, 2025.
On behalf of Southern Illinois News, we submitted a request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act for access to specific records from the Pope County Sheriffs Department. Our request specifically pertains to documents and/or records showing persons committed to this facility that have had an Immigration Detainer issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency lodged against them since January 29, 2024.
In addition, we also requested any communication from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding civil enforcement that is reportable under the TRUST Act and/or the Illinois VOICES Act. This includes any Immigration Detainers received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
As a media organization, our mission is to provide 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.
We are also members of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit corporation that assists news media companies in investigating state and federal governmental agencies using Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. Our aim is to shed light on government actions and help inform the American electorate.
We believe that as media professionals engaged in disseminating information to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver for this request. We await a response from the Pope County Sheriffs Department regarding our request.
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