Scientology Front Group Form I-129 R-1 Visa List 2009-2016

To Whom It May Concern:

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

A summary list of all USCIS Form I-129 receipt files with R-1 visa status, dated from January 1, 2009 through the date this request is processed, for the following Scientology-linked 501(c)(3) religious corporations that primarily operate in California:

Bridge Publications
Hubbard College of Administration
Scientology Missions International
Social Betterment Properties
World Institute of Scientology Enterprises

When generating this list please include the year the petition was received, petitioner firm name, petitioner firm state, beneficiary or applicant's country of birth and case status fields for each R-1 petition filed for the corporations listed above during the specified time period. I wish to receive this disclosure in spreadsheet format the same way it was provided on my previous FOIA request that was recently completed under control number COW2015000551.

I also request that fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest for the same reasons explained in great detail on the successful appeal action for the fee waiver on my previous request noted above, under reference number APP2015001092 (See: http://bit.ly/1mQkISr ).

In short, I request a fee waiver because I am an independent researcher investigating the history of how the Church of Scientology weaponized the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in the 1970s through the 1990s to attack the government over an alleged conspiracy against their organization. I use the services provided by MuckRock News for the generation of correspondence, progress tracking and digital reproduction of the information I gather from the large number of FOIA requests filed with various agencies in pursuit of my research. The purpose of my project is strictly for developing a better understanding of how the government works after dealing with an aggressive requester and vexatious litigant. The final work product of my research will be released with the aim of educating the public on litigious efforts against the federal government and the advantages the organization I am investigating received as a direct result of those efforts. I have no personal commercial interest in these documents whatsoever, as my only intent is to gather, release, and discuss subject matter in the public interest for further research and news-gathering purposes. I am using the public domain publishing service at Muckrock.com because it furthers my stated intent. MuckRock News is strictly a non-commercial service when used in this capacity by a non-employee with the sole intent to expand the general public’s knowledge on the FOIA related issues I am pursuing as an independent researcher.

Additionally, a recently published non-commercial example showing how the data I received from my previous USCIS FOIA request was utilized by an independent journalist to raise public awareness of how the government is handling a large volume of R-1 visas from Church of Scientology entities can be seen here: http://bit.ly/1Q4WShC

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,

Ms. R. M. Seibert