Migrants deaths and remains found (Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office)
| Tracking # |
23-1259-SO |
| Multi Request | Migrants deaths and remains found |
| Submitted | April 10, 2023 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Gabriela Villegas
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
I am writing to request information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. ยง 552. Specifically, I am seeking access to the following information regarding migrant remains that have been documented in your Medical Examiner Officer or County Sheriff's files for fiscal years 2017 - 2022:
Age
Sex
Body condition
Coordinates where the body was located
Country of origin
Cause of death
I understand that these records may contain sensitive information, and I assure you that any information provided will be used solely for legitimate research purposes.
Please inform me of any fees associated with this request, and I would be happy to provide payment if necessary. Additionally, please let me know if there are any limitations on the amount of information that can be provided, or if you require any further information from me in order to process this request.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Gabriela Villegas
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 11, 2023. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
*23-1259-SO*
Good Morning,
The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office does not maintain the information you
seek in the format requested. The Sheriff's Office is not able to perform a
search to locate the information you seek. In order to better assist you
with your request, please provide us with specific identifying information
for the records you seek, e.g. date, time, and location and/or identifying
information of any involved persons.
Please allow this correspondence to serve as a request for clarification.
Your request for public information, as worded, is unclear and does not
contain enough information for our office to process it. Under the Texas
Public Information Act (Ch. 552 of the Texas Government Code), a request
for public information must ask for records or information already in
existence. The Act does not require a governmental entity to create new
information, to do legal research, or to answer questions. See Open
Records Decision Nos. 605 at 2, 563 at 8, and 555 at 1-2.
Please note that, when a governmental entity, acting in good faith,
requests clarification or narrowing of an unclear or overbroad request, the
ten business day period to request an attorney general ruling is measured
from the date the requestor responds to the request for clarification or
narrowing. *City of Dallas v. Abbott*, 304 S.W.3d 380, 387 (Tex. 2010).
Please be advised that under Section 552.222 (d) of the Public Information
Act, your request for public information will be considered withdrawn if we
do not receive a written response from you by the 61st day after this
written request for clarification is sent.
Respectfully,
*Jo Lynn Trantham *
*Administrative Assistant III*
*Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office *
*(956)292-7000 ext. 7618*
From: Gabriela Villegas
Good afternoon.
I don't ask for a specific person. I'm only referring to the reports of remains or bodies of immigrants who died when entering the United States illegally.
Thank you.
From: Gabriela Villegas
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 11, 2023. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 11, 2023. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #23-1259-SO.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
Files
There are no files associated with this request.