Home / Guides

Requesting Alien Files (A-Files) Across DHS: USCIS FIRST Portal, CBP, and EOIR with Privacy Certifications

Published October 1, 2026 · 5 U.S.C. § 552 Legal Reference

Understanding Alien Files and the Multi-Agency Challenge

Alien Files (A-Files) are comprehensive immigration records maintained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components. These files contain visa applications, deportation proceedings, biometric data, and administrative decisions spanning decades. Requesters—including immigrants, attorneys, and researchers—frequently need A-Files to verify immigration history, support legal proceedings, or conduct genealogical research.

The complexity arises because A-Files are distributed across three primary DHS agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Each maintains separate portals, processing procedures, and privacy certification requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a).

This guide provides step-by-step tactics to navigate all three agencies, secure proper third-party authorization, and minimize processing delays.

Legal Foundation: FOIA, Privacy Act, and Statutory Authority

The Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552)

FOIA requires federal agencies to disclose records upon request unless they fall within nine exemptions. DHS components must respond within 20 business days (with extensions for complex requests). A-Files typically qualify for disclosure under FOIA unless they contain classified information, law enforcement investigative details, or personal privacy information belonging to third parties.

The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a)

The Privacy Act grants individuals the right to access records about themselves maintained in agency systems of records. Critically, when a requester seeks records about another individual (such as a deceased relative or family member), the Privacy Act requires either written consent from that individual or a statutory exception. This is where Form G-28 and Privacy Act certifications become essential.

28 U.S.C. § 1746 Declarations

Federal law permits unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury in lieu of notarized affidavits. This statute allows requesters to certify their authority to request records without formal notarization, reducing cost and processing friction.

Step 1: Determine Your Requester Status and Authorization

Direct Requesters (Records About Yourself)

If you are requesting your own A-File, you need only provide proof of identity and citizenship/immigration status. A valid passport, driver's license, or USCIS receipt notice suffices. No third-party consent is required.

Authorized Representatives and Form G-28

If an attorney, accredited representative, or family member is requesting on your behalf, USCIS and EOIR require Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative). This form must be:

  • Signed by the individual whose records are being requested (the principal)
  • Signed by the attorney or representative
  • Submitted with the FOIA request to establish legal authority

Form G-28 is the gold standard for third-party authorization in immigration contexts because it is specifically designed for DHS and EOIR. It eliminates ambiguity and accelerates processing.

Third-Party Requests Without Form G-28

If Form G-28 is unavailable (e.g., requesting records of a deceased relative), use a Privacy Act certification under 28 U.S.C. § 1746. This unsworn declaration must state:

  • Your relationship to the individual whose records you seek
  • Your reason for the request (legal representation, genealogical research, estate administration)
  • A statement that you are authorized to access the records under applicable law
  • The declaration language: "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct."

This approach works for CBP and EOIR but may trigger additional review at USCIS.

Step 2: Requesting Through USCIS FIRST Portal

Accessing FIRST

USCIS operates the Freedom of Information and Records Transparency (FIRST) portal at uscis.gov/foia. This is the primary entry point for A-File requests. FIRST allows online submission, real-time status tracking, and direct communication with USCIS FOIA officers.

Creating Your Request

Log in or create an account. Select "Submit a FOIA Request." Choose "Alien File (A-File)" as the record type. Provide:

  • Full name of the individual whose A-File is sought
  • Date of birth
  • Country of origin
  • USCIS receipt number (if available; A-number or case number)
  • Specific date range or description of records needed

Authorization Documentation

Upload Form G-28 (if applicable) or a Privacy Act certification. USCIS FIRST will flag requests lacking proper authorization and request clarification before processing begins. This delays your timeline by 5–10 business days, so ensure documentation is complete.

Processing Timeline

USCIS typically processes A-File requests within 20–30 business days if no third-party records are involved. Requests involving multiple individuals or classified material may extend to 60+ days. FIRST provides real-time status updates, allowing you to monitor progress and respond to agency inquiries immediately.

Step 3: Requesting from CBP (Border Records)

CBP's Role in A-Files

CBP maintains records of all border crossings, inspections, and admissions. These records are often part of A-Files, particularly for individuals with entry/exit history or enforcement actions. CBP operates independently from USCIS and uses its own FOIA portal.

Submitting to CBP

Submit requests via CBP's FOIA portal at cbp.gov/foia or by mail to:

CBP FOIA Officer
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20229

Include the same identifying information as USCIS requests, plus any known CBP case numbers or port-of-entry information.

Authorization and Privacy Certifications

CBP accepts Form G-28 but is more flexible with Privacy Act certifications under 28 U.S.C. § 1746. If you are a family member or attorney without Form G-28, submit a signed declaration explaining your authority and relationship. CBP's FOIA officers are experienced with genealogical and legal representative requests and rarely reject well-drafted certifications.

Avoiding Transfer Delays

CBP frequently discovers that portions of an A-File are held by USCIS or EOIR and must be transferred. To minimize delays:

  • Explicitly request "all records in CBP's possession or control, including records transferred to or from USCIS or EOIR"
  • Provide a comprehensive date range (e.g., "1990 to present")
  • Note any known enforcement actions, deportation proceedings, or visa applications that may trigger inter-agency coordination

This proactive language signals that you understand the multi-agency nature of A-Files and reduces CBP's inclination to process only its own records.

Step 4: Requesting from EOIR (Immigration Court Records)

EOIR's Jurisdiction

EOIR maintains records of all immigration court proceedings, including deportation hearings, bond hearings, and appeals. If an individual has faced removal proceedings, EOIR holds critical A-File components.

EOIR FOIA Submission

EOIR does not operate a centralized online portal. Submit requests by mail to:

Executive Office for Immigration Review
FOIA Officer
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1900
Falls Church, VA 22041

Include the individual's name, date of birth, A-number, and EOIR case number (if known). EOIR processes requests more slowly than USCIS or CBP—expect 30–60 business days.

Form G-28 and Authorization

EOIR strongly prefers Form G-28 for attorney and representative requests. If you are a family member without Form G-28, submit a Privacy Act certification. EOIR's FOIA office is accustomed to requests from family members seeking records of deceased relatives and will accept well-drafted certifications.

Coordinating with USCIS and CBP

EOIR frequently must coordinate with USCIS and CBP to compile complete A-Files. To accelerate this process:

  • Simultaneously submit requests to all three agencies
  • In each request, note that you have submitted parallel requests to the other agencies
  • Request that agencies coordinate and consolidate responses

This signals to EOIR that you understand the inter-agency nature of A-Files and may prompt EOIR to proactively reach out to USCIS and CBP, reducing sequential delays.

Step 5: Managing Third-Party Records and Privacy Concerns

Redactions for Third-Party Information

Even with proper authorization, agencies will redact information about third parties (e.g., names of co-applicants, witnesses, or family members). This is standard under FOIA Exemption 6 (personal privacy). Expect 10–30% redaction in typical A-Files.

Requesting Unredacted Records

If you are an attorney representing the individual whose A-File is sought, you may request unredacted records by including Form G-28 and a statement that you need the information for legal representation. USCIS and EOIR will often provide unredacted versions to attorneys, though CBP is more restrictive.

Handling Denials

If an agency denies your request due to insufficient authorization, you have the right to appeal under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6). Submit an appeal within 30 days, reiterating your authority and providing additional documentation if available. Appeals are often successful when accompanied by a revised Privacy Act certification or Form G-28.

Tactical Recommendations to Avoid Delays

Submit Simultaneously to All Three Agencies

Do not wait for USCIS to respond before contacting CBP and EOIR. Parallel submissions compress the overall timeline and prevent sequential delays.

Use Comprehensive Language

Request "all records in your possession or control, including records transferred to or from other DHS components." This prevents agencies from claiming they only hold partial files.

Provide Complete Identifying Information

Include A-number, receipt numbers, case numbers, and dates of birth. Incomplete information forces agencies to conduct manual searches, adding 10–20 business days.

Follow Up Proactively

Use USCIS FIRST to monitor status. Contact CBP and EOIR FOIA officers via email or phone after 25 business days if no response is received. Polite follow-up often accelerates processing.

Escalate to Congressional Representatives

If an agency misses the 20-business-day deadline without justification, contact your congressional representative's constituent services office. Congressional inquiries often trigger expedited processing.

Conclusion

Requesting A-Files across USCIS, CBP, and EOIR requires understanding three distinct portals, authorization frameworks, and inter-agency coordination procedures. The key to success is submitting complete requests with proper Form G-28 or Privacy Act certifications, using comprehensive language that signals awareness of multi-agency holdings, and coordinating submissions across all three agencies simultaneously. By following these steps and leveraging statutory tools under 5 U.S.C. § 552 and 28 U.S.C. § 1746, requesters can obtain complete immigration records within 30–60 business days and avoid the common pitfalls that extend processing timelines to six months or longer.