Advanced Technology Northern Border Security Pilot Program

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

The following documents pertaining to the Advanced Technology Northern Border Security Pilot Program:

-The concept of operations (CONOPS) or similar foundational document(s) outlining the basic structure, aims, design and participants of the program.

-The report required to be submitted by the Secretary of Homeland Security to Congress not later than December 2005 (see SEC. 5104 of the Act cited below), which was to include the following matters:

(1) A discussion of the implementation of the pilot program, including the experience under the pilot program.
(2) A recommendation regarding whether to expand the pilot program along the entire northern border of the United States and a timeline for the implementation of the expansion.

The Advanced Technology Northern Border Security Pilot Program was established by the INTELLIGENCE REFORM AND TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT OF 2004 (PUBLIC LAW 108–458), TITLE V—BORDER PROTECTION, IMMIGRATION, AND VISA MATTERS, Subtitle A. A copy of the full text of the INTELLIGENCE REFORM AND TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT OF 2004 (PUBLIC LAW 108–458) can be found here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ458/pdf/PLAW-108publ458.pdf.

I also request that fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I furthermore request a fee waiver on the basis of my status as a journalist who has covered unmanned aerial vehicles extensively. For examples of my work on UAVs, see: motherboard.vice.com/tag/The+Drone+Census

Here is a selection of my published articles on drones, the first of which pertains to CBP's history of drone use, in particular:

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-us-spent-360-million-on-border-drones-thanks-to-this-flimsy-report

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-air-force-says-it-needs-precisely-52-new-reaper-drones-cant-explain-why

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/do-the-fbis-drones-invade-your-privacy-sorry-thats-private

I have also been published in a handful of other national media outlets:

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2014/12/03/the-pentagon-finally-details-its-weapons-for-cops-giveaway

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/08/big-brother-better-police-work-new-technology-automatically-runs-license-plates-everyone/1qoAoFfgp31UnXZT2CsFSK/story.html

https://news.vice.com/article/fbi-agent-who-killed-boston-bombing-suspects-friend-was-twice-accused-of-police-brutality

The present FOIA request concerns a matter of interest to the public, as demonstrated not only by avid readership of my articles and considerable activism around UAV legislation nationwide, but also by congressional hearings and Inspector General reports on the same.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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,

Shawn Musgrave

Hello,

I have provided a considerable amount of information as to the origins of the relevant program, as well as its title and specific categories of documents. These should be more than adequate points of information to allow DHS S&T FOIA officers to conduct a search for responsive documents.

Please advise.

Thank you,
Shawn Musgrave
MuckRock

Hello,

I agree to narrow the portion of my request seeking the pilot program's foundational documents to the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) document for the Advanced Technology Northern Border Security Pilot Program. I do note, however, that the remaining portions of my request ought to have continued to be processed.

Thank you,
Shawn Musgrave
MuckRock

Hello -

This was not a status check. Please see my below agreement to narrow the scope of this request, and please confirm receipt. Please let me know if I can provide further clarification so that this FOIA can proceed.

Thank you,
Shawn Musgrave
MuckRock

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 23, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2015-STFO-029.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 23, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2015-STFO-029.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 23, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2015-STFO-029.

Thank you for your help.

Hello -

It has been several months since I received any update on this request. Please advise as to its status, particularly in light of my agreement to narrow its scope — see my email of April 21, 2015, which has not been answered to date.

Respectfully,
Shawn Musgrave
MuckRock

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 23, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2015-STFO-029.

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

Hello -

My request comprised the CONOPS as well as the report required to be submitted by the Secretary of Homeland Security to Congress not later than December 2005, which was to include the following matters:

(1) A discussion of the implementation of the pilot program, including the experience under the pilot program.
(2) A recommendation regarding whether to expand the pilot program along the entire northern border of the United States and a timeline for the implementation of the expansion.

Please confirm whether DHS S&T searched for the indicated report.

Best,
Shawn Musgrave
MuckRock

Hello -

I sent the below request for clarification in September, but have yet to hear a response as to whether DHS conducted a sufficient search. Please advise immediately.

Best,
Shawn Musgrave