Underlying documents: Family separation data report

Submitted on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 01:32
Submitted by user: Anonymous
Submitted values are:

Select the DHS component you wish to submit your request to: : Office of
Inspector General (OIG)
Title:
First Name: Tanvi
Middle Initial:
Last Name: Misra
Suffix:
Email Address: requests@muckrock.com
Country: United States
Address 1: MuckRock News, DEPT MR 79624
Address 2: 411A Highland Ave
City: Somerville
State: Massachusetts
Zip Code: 02144
Telephone Number: 6172991832
Fax Number:
Are you requesting records on yourself? No
If yes, you must check the perjury statement:
By initialing here you are providing your electronic signature.:
Please describe the records you are seeking as clearly and precisely as
possible:
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following
records:

1. All significant incident reports (SIRs) and significant event
notifications (SENs) to date regarding the upcoming report on a data analysis
into how children were tracked during the "Zero-Tolerance Policy," which was
announced April 6, 2018 — and is still on the books. (See:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-announces-zero-tolerance-policy-criminal-illegal-entry)

The report was referenced by Jennifer Costello, Acting Inspector General of
the Homeland Security Department, at a hearing in front of the Senate
Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on July 30, 2019. (See,
starting 36:50:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?463040-1/senate-homeland-security-hearing-migration-us-southern-border;
"We have a data analysis audit underway looking specifically at the tracking
of children during zero tolerance ... I think the first job that will be
issued will be the data tracking work ... this fall.")

2. All materials relied upon by DHS-OIG in the data analysis on how children
were tracked during "Zero-Tolerance Policy," as referenced by Acting IG
Jennifer Costello in front of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Committee on July 30, 2019 — including, but not limited to,
photographs, interview notes, and electronic or paper communications;

3. All communication to date with DHS agency components regarding the data
analysis on how children were tracked during "Zero-Tolerance Policy," as
referenced by Acting IG Jennifer Costello in front of the Senate Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 30, 2019 — including,
but not limited to, communication with Immigration and Customs Enforcement,
Customs and Border Protection, Department of Health and Human Services, and
Immigrant Health Services Corps;

3. All follow-up communications to date from OIG to any DHS agency component
or Congressional liaison regarding the investigation into data analysis on
how children were tracked during "Zero-Tolerance Policy," as referenced by
Acting IG Jennifer Costello in front of the Senate Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Committee on July 30, 2019;

4. All communications to date between OIG and subject-matter experts,
including, but not limited to, public health officials, regarding the
investigation into data analysis on how children were tracked during
"Zero-Tolerance Policy," as referenced by Acting IG Jennifer Costello in
front of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on
July 30, 2019;

5. All completed drafts and forthcoming management alerts or reports on the
data analysis on how children were tracked during "Zero-Tolerance Policy," as
referenced by Acting IG Jennifer Costello in front of the Senate Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 30, 2019.

BACKGROUND

In April, 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo announcing
a new "Zero-Tolerance Policy," through which adults who crossed the Southern
U.S. border without authorization would be referred for criminal
prosecutions. (See:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-announces-zero-tolerance-policy-criminal-illegal-entry)

Their children, who could not be detained, were separated, labeled as
Unaccompanied Minor Aliens (UACs), and referred to the custody of ORR—the
Office of Refugee Resettlement. President Donald Trump signed an executive
order in June, which asks that families be detained together, unless the
parents pose a risk to the child's welfare, which effectively weakened the
policy — but did not end it.
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/affording-congress-opportunity-address-family-separation/)

Recently, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a legal complaint,
alleging that 900 children had been separated since a 2018 court order asking
the administration to stop the practice.
(https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-asks-federal-court-halt-unlawful-ongoing-family-separations)

In a hearing titled, "Unprecedented Migration at the U.S. Southern Border:
What Is Required to Improve Conditions?" held on July 30 in front of the full
Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Acting Inspector
General Jennifer Costello testified, and provided a list of ongoing
investigations. (See, starting 36:10:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?463040-1/senate-homeland-security-hearing-migration-us-southern-border)
Specifically, she mentioned a forthcoming report: "We have a data analysis
audit underway looking specifically at the tracking of children during zero
tolerance ... I think the first job that will be issued will be the data
tracking work ... this fall." That is the report the above requested
documents pertain to.

I am requesting these documents as a journalist who has been covering
immigration issues for the last five years at The Atlantic. Founded in 1857
and today one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry, The
Atlantic has throughout its history championed the power of big ideas and
continues to shape global debate across print, digital, events, video, and
audio platforms. With its award-winning digital presence TheAtlantic.com and
CityLab.com on cities around the world, The Atlantic is a multimedia forum on
the most critical issues of our times—from politics, global, and the
economy, to technology, arts, and culture.

Currently, I'm an immigration reporter at CQ-Roll Call, one of the oldest
Congressional publications in the U.S with a track record of award winning
non-partisan journalism — currently specializing in coverage of immigrant
detention.

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 20 business days,
as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Tanvi Misra

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Select from the list below: An individual seeking information for personal
use and not for commercial use.
I request a waiver of all fees for this request.: I request a waiver of all
fees for this request.
Please provide an explanation for your request for a fee waiver:
I am requesting these documents as a journalist who has been covering
immigration issues for the last five years at The Atlantic. Founded in 1857
and today one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry, The
Atlantic has throughout its history championed the power of big ideas and
continues to shape global debate across print, digital, events, video, and
audio platforms. With its award-winning digital presence TheAtlantic.com and
CityLab.com on cities around the world, The Atlantic is a multimedia forum on
the most critical issues of our times—from politics, global, and the
economy, to technology, arts, and culture.

Currently, I'm an immigration reporter at CQ-Roll Call, one of the oldest
Congressional publications in the U.S with a track record of award winning
non-partisan journalism — currently specializing in coverage of immigrant
detention.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and
this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
Please select and describe in detail if you believe your request warrants
expeditious handling:
Please provide information to support your selection:

Good afternoon Mr. Misra,

Attached you will find all 3 Acknowledgement letter to you requests that you submitted to OIG FOIA.
Thanks,

Carlita Blocker

Dear Mr. Misra:

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG). Attached please find DHS-OIG's final response of the above-referenced FOIA request.

Sincerely,

FOIA/DHS-OIG