How to get a copy of your immigration file (FOIA / A-file)

Your immigration history is documented in your A-file (Alien File) — the records that follow your A-number. You can get a copy for free by filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Which agency you ask depends on which records you need: USCIS holds your A-file and past applications, ICE holds enforcement and detention records, CBP holds travel and border history, and EOIR (the immigration court) holds your court record. And if you have an immigration court hearing within 30 days, you can ask USCIS to handle your request faster through Track 3. This is general information, not legal advice.

What your A-file is, and why FOIA is free

Your A-file is the series of records that document your immigration history, tied to your A-number (the “A” followed by a string of digits that DHS assigns to you). It is not held in one place: it contains records contributed by several DHS agencies — USCIS, ICE, and CBP — covering applications you filed, encounters with immigration officers, and more. You obtain these records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (or, for your own records, the Privacy Act).

A FOIA request is free. You can file one yourself, online, at no cost — you do not need a lawyer, and you should not pay a notario or anyone else to “unlock” your file. Getting a copy of your A-file is one of the most useful first steps when you want to understand your immigration history or prepare for a case.

Which agency to request from

Different records live in different agencies, so the first decision is who to ask:

AgencyWhat records it holdsWhere to request
USCISYour A-file and your past applications and petitionsUSCIS FIRST system at first.uscis.gov
ICEEnforcement, detention, and removal recordsICE FOIA (ice.gov/foia)
CBPTravel history and border encounters or entriesCBP FOIA (SecureRelease portal)
EOIRYour immigration court Record of Proceeding — the judge’s decisions, hearing transcripts, filings, and appealsEOIR FOIA, using Form EOIR-59 or Form DOJ-361

A common point of confusion: your immigration court file is not at USCIS. The court system, EOIR, keeps its own records, and you request them with Form EOIR-59 (Certification and Release of Records) or Form DOJ-361. EOIR does not accept the USCIS form G-639. If you only need your court record, go to EOIR; if you need the full picture of your immigration history, you may file separate requests with more than one agency.

How to file in 2026

FOIA filing methods changed in early 2026 — confirm the current method on each agency’s official FOIA page before filing. The dates below are accurate as of the date each change took effect, but agencies update their processes, so verify before you submit.

  • USCIS — as of January 22, 2026. FOIA and Privacy Act requests for USCIS records must be submitted online at first.uscis.gov after you create a free USCIS account. The online system (FIRST) replaces the paper Form G-639 for most requesters; paper and email requests are generally no longer accepted. An attorney or representative sets up their own USCIS account and files as a third-party requester.
  • ICE — as of February 23, 2026. ICE no longer accepts FOIA requests by mail, with an exception for detained individuals. File through ICE’s online FOIA process at ice.gov/foia.
  • CBP. File through the SecureRelease online portal reached from the CBP FOIA page.
  • EOIR (immigration court). Submit Form EOIR-59 (or Form DOJ-361) to EOIR following its instructions.

Every one of these requests is still free.

Track 3 — faster FOIA before an immigration court hearing

If you are in removal proceedings and have an immigration court hearing within 30 days, USCIS has an accelerated FOIA track called Track 3. The legal basis is expedited processing when the requester shows an imminent loss of substantial due process rights — in plain terms, you need your file before a fast-approaching hearing. To use it:

  1. Mark “TRACK 3” prominently on your USCIS FOIA request.
  2. Attach proof of your upcoming hearing — your most recent EOIR hearing notice, or a Form I-862 (Notice to Appear), I-122, or I-863 that shows a future hearing date.
  3. State clearly that you are the respondent in those proceedings.

The 30-day clock runs from the date USCIS receives your request, so account for any courier or postal delay. Track 3 does not produce records instantly — FOIA backlogs still apply — it moves your request to the front of the line. Because Track 3 depends on having a current hearing notice, make sure you know your hearing date first: see how to check your immigration court date and case status, and what a Notice to Appear is.

Your own records vs. someone else’s records

You may request your own records on your own — that is the simplest case. To request someone else’s records, you generally need that person’s signed consent or authorization (or proof of death, or proof that you are their legal guardian). Without consent, a third-party request only returns releasable or public material, not the protected contents of another person’s file. If you are helping a family member who is detained, keep this consent rule in mind — and remember ICE’s exception that lets a detained person file by mail.

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Last verified: 2026-06-27. General information, not legal advice. FOIA filing methods and agency processes changed in early 2026 and continue to change — confirm the current method on each agency’s official FOIA page before filing. For any specific situation, contact a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative — never a notario. This page has no compensated or affiliate links.