EOIR Interpreter Cost Records

To Whom It May Concern:

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

The records reflecting the cost for courtroom interpretation for 2017, 2018, and 2019 which were the subject of an e-mail from Director McHenry to all staff on March 6, 2019. In particular I'm requesting the records that reflect how much was spent on courtroom interpretation for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 fiscal years. I am also requesting records that reflect which agency or organization received those funds. I understand the EOIR has a primary intepretation contract with SOSI but also uses telephone interpretation services from LionBridge, Interpretalk, and perhaps others. I am requesting the records that show how much of the annual expenditure on courtroom interpretation was paid to each organization.

If e-mail messages are responsive to this request, it is intended to include their attachments in full.

I am requesting these records for the purpose of writing an article on EOIR budget issues as a member of the news media. To that end, I would appreciate if you would expedite 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 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Matthew Hoppock

from matthew@hoppocklawfirm.com
to Shelley.M.OHara@usdoj.gov

Good morning. Thanks for e-mailing. I am not sure what portion needs to be clarified. Can you please let me know what additional detail is necessary and I will do my best to explain the scope of the request?

Thank you.

Matthew L. Hoppock
matthew@hoppocklawfirm.com

The Hoppock Law Firm, LLC
10985 Cody St. Suite 130
Overland Park, KS 66210
913-267-5511 (Phone)
913-562-9555 (Fax)

On Tue, Oct 15, 2019 at 1:12 PM O'Hara, Shelley M. (EOIR) <Shelley.M.OHara@usdoj.gov> wrote:
Mr. Hoppock:

The above-referenced request is on hold because it requires clarification. Please contact me to clarify your request. If we do not hear from you on the first business day following 30 calendar days of this notice, we will assume you are no longer interested and your request will be closed.

Sincerely,

Shelley M. O’Hara
Attorney Advisor (FOIA)
Office of the General Counsel
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Department of Justice
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600
Falls Church, VA 22041
(703) 605-0275