If you have ever applied for a U.S. visa, been stopped at the airport by U.S. border officers, or simply wondered what information the American authorities keep about you, you may be surprised by the answer: much more than you think.

What most people do not know is that you can actually request access to these records. This is done through a FOIA request, a powerful but often underused tool in U.S. immigration law.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a U.S. law that allows individuals to obtain records held by federal government agencies. In the immigration context, this means you can request information from:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• The U.S. Department of State (Embassies & Consulates)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

These records may include officer notes, internal memos, prior applications, and reports about border inspections, information that is usually hidden from applicants unless you specifically ask for it.

There are many situations where a FOIA request can provide clarity and help guide your next steps:

• Visa refusals or delays: A FOIA request can uncover the exact legal basis or officer notes behind a denial or long administrative processing.
• CBP stops at the airport or border: If you were questioned or refused entry, FOIA allows you to see what CBP officers wrote down during the inspection.
• Old applications: Not sure what is still on file from a visa you applied for years ago? FOIA helps you find out.
• Stronger case preparation: Knowing what the government sees means we can anticipate issues, correct errors, and build a more effective legal strategy.
• Peace of mind: Sometimes, the main goal is simply transparency: understanding what data the U.S. has about you.

At WINHELLER, we do not just file FOIA requests — we make them work for your case. Together with our U.S. immigration attorney, we:

• Identify which U.S. agency holds the records most relevant to your situation.
• Draft and submit a legally precise FOIA request to maximize the chance of receiving complete records.
• Review and analyze the documents once released to explain what they mean in plain language.
• Use the information strategically to strengthen your visa application, prepare you for a CBP inspection, or resolve past issues with U.S. authorities.

Our in-house U.S. immigration attorney ensures that your FOIA request is filed correctly under U.S. law and that the results are put to practical use in your immigration journey.

U.S. immigration decisions often feel like a “black box.” FOIA requests shine a light inside that box, revealing exactly what the government has recorded. With that knowledge, and with WINHELLER and our U.S. attorney by your side, you can move forward confidently, avoid surprises, and give your immigration journey the best possible chance of success.