A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois on February 18, 2025. The request, made by Peoria Standard, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought information about inmates who have had an Immigration Detainer issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency lodged against them since January 29, 2024.
The FOIA request also sought records of requests from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding civil enforcement reportable under the TRUST Act and/or the Illinois VOICES Act. In addition, it requested for Immigration Detainers received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that are reportable under these same acts.
As members of the media committed to transparency and accountability in public institutions, we believe access to such records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we requested a fee waiver as media professionals.
It is worth noting that we are part of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit corporation assisting news media companies and public advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies using Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. Our goal is to shed light on government actions and inform the American electorate.
We await a response from the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office regarding this important matter.
