FOIA Request to Mercer County Sheriff’s Department Regarding Immigration Detainer Records Issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency on January 29, 2025.
On behalf of Rock Island Today, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we have requested specific records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The request is specifically for documents and/or records showing persons committed to county jails who have had an Immigration Detainer issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency lodged against them since January 29, 2024.
As a media organization, our role involves gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We await response from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department regarding this request.
