What immigration records does the government have about you?

What kind of information the different agencies keep, where it sits, and how you can request it.

There is no single file

Immigration information does not sit in one place. Several agencies keep different records, created at different moments and for different purposes.

That is why a person may appear in one archive and not another, and why it is sometimes worth requesting records from more than one agency.

Who keeps what

• USCIS — applications, petitions, decisions and the main file (the A-file).
• CBP — records of entries to and exits from the country.
• ICE — enforcement and supervision activity.
• Department of State — visas and consular processing. The law treats visa records as confidential, and what is released, even to the applicant, is usually limited.
• EOIR — proceedings before the immigration courts. To find out whether you have a case or a hearing pending, EOIR offers free, immediate status checks by phone and online: no FOIA needed.

At a glance

Why it can matter

A new filing usually asks for dates, addresses and history that must match what is already on record. Reviewing the records before starting helps avoid contradictions that delay a file.

It also helps when many years have passed, or when the original paperwork was lost or left in another country.

What information usually appears

• Recorded dates of entry and exit.
• Applications filed and their outcome.
• Addresses and personal details declared at the time.
• Notices sent by the government.
• Documents submitted in earlier filings.

How to request them

1. Define what you need — which information, and from when.
2. Choose the agency — based on who holds that record.
3. Prepare the request — with the identification required.
4. Submit and wait — each agency has its own process.
5. Review and keep — save a copy of whatever arrives.

How long it takes

Each agency publishes its own times and has its own queue. Some answer within weeks and others take considerably longer. We do not promise deadlines: we tell you what is published.

Worth bearing in mind

• The response may arrive partly redacted.
• Something missing does not mean it does not exist in another archive.
• Records can contain errors; correcting them is a separate process.
• The legal consequences of what is on record are for an attorney to assess.

Frequently asked questions

Can I request a relative’s records?

As a rule each person requests their own, and requesting someone else’s requires their authorization. Specific rules apply depending on the situation.

What if I find an error?

Procedures exist for requesting corrections. What applies in your situation is a legal question: consult a licensed attorney.