A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Hamilton County Sheriff's office on February 18, 2025. The request, made by SE Illinois News, a media organization committed to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, seeks information regarding inmates with Immigration Detainers.
Specifically, the FOIA request seeks documents and records showing persons committed to the Hamilton County facility that have had an Immigration Detainer issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency lodged against them since January 29, 2024.
The request also includes any communications from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding civil enforcement reportable under the TRUST Act and/or the Illinois VOICES Act. Additionally, any Immigration Detainers received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that are reportable under these same acts were requested.
As members of SE Illinois News and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit corporation assisting news media companies in investigating state and federal governmental agencies, we believe access to public records is essential for our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We hope this information will help pull back the curtain on government actions and inform our readers about important issues affecting their communities. For more information about our work, please visit https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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