Reddy Neumann Brown PC has long been an advocate for individuals, companies, or trade groups using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain information from various government agencies related to immigration matters. These FOIA requests can be used as a tool for planning as requestors can try to push for data, policies, memorandums, and more that the various DHS sub-agencies (USCIS, CBP, ICE), Department of Labor, and Department of State have in their records. Individuals and companies can also use FOIA requests for documents or any derogatory information the government agencies might have. .  While many immigration related agencies blow past the mandatory FOIA deadlines, there are avenues to pursue litigation for these delays that also allow for requestors to potentially receive attorney’s fees as part of the process.  

In October 2023, our firm filed a FOIA request seeking I-485 and I-140/I-526 data as well as various policies related to adjustment of status. That FOIA request can be found here. Following litigation, we have finally been able to obtain the FOIA data and information we requested. There are some minor documents still outstanding that we are working with USCIS on production, but the vast majority have been produced. Interestingly, and perhaps it is only a coincidence, since filing our request, USCIS has resumed the publication of the I-485 inventory and additional data related to I-140s publically.

Reddy Neumann Brown PC believes that this information is important for individuals and want to make it as accessible as possible. To that end, the following links are publically available:

• I-485 Policy and Training Related Information: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:04f7bdab-a651-47fe-960c-c471716c964a
• I-485 and I-140 Data – please note, this is an extremely large file based on the type of information requested. It is over 30,000 pages long. We recommend viewing this on a computer or on Wi-Fi. Additionally, it takes a while to load and the webpage can encounter errors on your phone if you do not let it fully load, please allow it to fully load before viewing: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:0f6362cb-5d2a-47dd-9988-79cd3022f442

We hope that this information is helpful to the public in some manner and we hope to be able to continue to use FOIA to shine light on immigration data, policies, and trainings in the interest of transparency.

If you as an individual, your business, or an organization you are a member of is interested in working with us to file and pursue a FOIA, or litigate an already delayed FOIA, please feel free to contact us. 

Reddy Neumann Brown PC located in Houston, Texas, has been serving the business community for over 25 years and is Houston’s largest immigration law firm focused solely on U.S. Employment-based and investor-based immigration. We work with employers, employees and investors helping them navigate the immigration process quickly and cost-effectively.

By: Steven Brown

Steven Brown is a Partner at Reddy Neumann Brown PC where he works in the Non-immigrant visa department and leads the Litigation Team. His practice covers all phases of the non-immigration visa process including filing H-1B, L-1, E-3, H-4, and H-4 EAD petitions. In the last two years, Steven has successfully handled over 1,000 non-immigrant visa petitions including filing petitions, responding to any necessary Requests for Evidence, and drafting motions and appeals. He has also become a key resource for F-1 students that seek guidance on properly complying with the F-1 visa regulations and any OPT or CPT issues they may have. Additionally, Steven holds a weekly conference call for companies that are part of one of the largest organizations for IT Services companies in America.