r/foia

Hi there hoping for some help from anyone who’s experienced this before.

I am an American citizen living in Japan and am going through an extremely annoying driver’s license conversion process. I need to prove that I stayed within the United States for a certain period of time after receiving my driver’s license.

I submitted my request to CBP with my passport number, copy of said passport, full info about myself and explained in a few short sentences why I’m asking for this info. I explicitly said I am requesting my own entries/exits.

The response I got was as follows:
“We conducted a comprehensive search of files within the CBP databases for records that would be responsive to your request. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate or identify any responsive records, based upon the information you provided in your request.”

I have left the country 7 times in the last 28 years - how is there no info?

What should I do now? How can I rewrite my request to make this work in my appeal?

Edit to include my exact request:
“I would like to request my travel history that shows the details of all of my entries and exits to/from the United States from January 2016 to January 2026.”

I’ve had a FOIA request with USCIS pending for about 45 days. This morning I received a notice that my case has been closed with no further action taken.

The reason they gave was that they could not verify my identify. It said verification of identity has to include full name, date of birth, place of birth (to include country, and current mailing address.

I submitted a signed (under penalty of perjury) document with my request that answered all of those questions except for place of birth I put city/state instead of city/state/usa.

I was not aware I needed to put the country after the city/state. I figured it was implied. I sent an email to the USCIS liaison listed in the letter to request the case to be reopened, and I attached new verification of identity with country listed.

Is this normal? Am I really going to have to appeal this or start entirely from scratch?

the chinese state security has about 210 billion budget vs 10 billion for fbi and MSS has 120000 employees vs 20000 fbi so why the difference? do people in united states not care for security?

Looking for advice from anyone who has dealt with a Clear and Present Danger (CPD) report or FOID restoration in Illinois.

In July 2021, I was arrested by Lyons PD for UUW after officers found a firearm during a traffic stop. I had a valid FOID card but no CCL. The criminal case was later resolved as no conviction, and dismissed in court. However, my FOID card was still revoked.

I obtained the police report and court records. The report contains no allegations of threats, suicidal statements, mental health concerns, or violent behavior. However, a supplemental report states that a "Clear and Present Danger" report was filed by the police to the ISP.

I submitted a FOIA request to Illinois State Police for a copy of that Clear and Danger Report, but I was denied that request.

My questions:

• Has anyone successfully restored their FOID after a Clear and Present Danger report?
• Has anyone appealed a Clear and Present Danger related FOIA denial?
• What should be done next?

Any insight or experiences would be appreciated.

Im in the great state of indiana i want to expose a judge and the city of Alexandria for retaliation for a public records request. there is no state law on producing your correct name on a request form. I WAS HARRASED BY Madison sheriff department in anderson i was followed watched and stalked while visiting. I found out the officers and name and requested information from the officers town where he lived at, i wanted to pay him a house visit so i requested alexandria police department full roster because i was going to pull up on him at home, church, or at his mothers house Rest in peace now :) i was charged with counterfeiting a public records request, im the first person ever with this type of charge not only in indiana,and thru out the united state, no case laws. we went to bench trail and lost i feel as a black person in indiana we cant get no fair trail. STAND UP Lafayette i dont condone violence but we can only take so much it gonna happen again. anything is possible

TAKE A LOOK AT MY PROBATION REQUIREMENTS.

Case before the court April 16, 2026, for scheduled for Sentencing: State of Indiana appeared by deputy prosecutor John Eisele and defendant appeared in person and by counsel Jesse Sanchez. Parties confirm no changes, deletions or corrections are necessary regarding the Presentence Investigation filed in this case. Court heard argument of counsel and received into the record without objection letters on behalf of the defendant. No testimony was elicited. The court considered the statutory factors in respect to sentencing and finds defendant's prior conviction is an aggravating factor and no mitigating factors. The court considered arguments of counsel and proceeded to sentencing. The court has heretofore found the defendant, George E. Grady, not guilty as charged by the state in Count 1, Identity Deception, level 6 felony and Count 3, Identity Deception, level 6 felony and the record shall so reflect. The court, having found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in count 2 and count 4 (each under I.C. 35-43-5-2(a)(1)(A) now enters judgment of conviction and determines the presumptive sentence is appropriate. For count 2, Counterfeiting, level 6 felony, the defendant is sentenced to 365 days in the Indiana Department of Correction. For count 4, Counterfeiting, level 6 felony, the defendant is sentenced to 365 days in the Indiana Department of Correction. Counts 2 and 4 shall be concurrent for a total sentence of one year. The court credits defendant with one day credit against the sentence. The court suspends the balance of the sentence such that incarceration would pose a hardship in respect to defendant's employment and support of household family members and instead places the defendant on supervised probation for one year. Defendant requested the court impose alternative misdemeanor sentencing and the state objected. The court denies defendant's request to sentence defendant as a misdemeanant on this record as this would detract from the seriousness of the crime and defendant previously received misdemeanor treatment, albeit many years prior, which did not deter future criminal behavior. As a condition of probation, the court directs defendant's internet activity shall be subject to probation oversight (phone, tablet, computer). The defendant shall be prohibited from making any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request while under supervision without advance approval and shall not use the identity of any other person. Standard terms of probation are imposed to include abstain from drug and alcohol use, be subject to random screens to ensure compliance therewith, and submit to a DNA sample pursuant to statute. Defendant waives reading of the probation conditions on the record. The court finds defendant is gainfully employed full time and imposes a $75 fine plus $189 costs made payable within one hundred eighty (180) days. Probation user fees are assigned in the amount of $100 administrative, $90 initial fee and $30 monthly fee. Defendant may request to transfer supervision to his home county - Marion. Court notified defendant of his appeal rights; however, denied the defendant's request for indigency determination for purposes of an appeal. Court was notified that the defendant intends to pursue his appellant rights and is aware of the time frames to accomplish this.