Index/Topics/FOIA exemptions

FOIA exemptions

Exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act that limit the release of information

Fact-Checks

5 results
Jan 17, 2026

How can the public access records or reports from legal investigations and ethics committees?

Public access to records from legal investigations and ethics committees is governed by a mix of federal FOIA rules, state open records laws, court rules and agency policies, each with its own exempti...

Jan 16, 2026

How can a U.S. citizen file a FOIA request to obtain ICE records about their detention?

A U.S. citizen seeking ICE records about their detention should file a written FOIA or Privacy Act request with the proper DHS component—typically ICE, and sometimes USCIS or CBP depending on where re...

Jan 14, 2026

How have courts ruled in past cases over government refusal to release investigatory materials citing victim privacy or national security?

Courts have repeatedly balanced competing interests when the government refuses to release investigatory materials on grounds of victim privacy or national security, sometimes deferring to executive s...

Jan 9, 2026

What legal actions, if any, have been taken by or against parties involved in the diary’s disclosure and distribution?

There is no reporting in the supplied sources identifying a specific diary disclosure incident or any named parties who have been sued or prosecuted; therefore this analysis outlines the plausible leg...

Jan 7, 2026

How does USCIS handle FOIA requests for naturalization records of living persons?

USCIS processes FOIA requests for naturalization and A‑file records through its online FOIA system and the FIRST records system, prioritizing precise document requests and applying privacy protections...