FOIA Request to Jersey County Sheriff Department Regarding Inmates with ICE Detainers on February 18, 2025.
As part of our ongoing commitment to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Metro East Sun have submitted a request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The request specifically seeks documents and/or records showing persons committed to the Jersey County Sheriff Department’s facility that have had an Immigration Detainer issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency lodged against them since January 29, 2024.
In addition, we are seeking any requests from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding civil enforcement which are reportable under the TRUST Act, as codified at 5 ILCS 805/1, et seq., and/or the Illinois VOICES Act, as codified at 5 ILCS 825/1, et seq. This also includes any Immigration Detainers received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that fall under these same acts.
Access to public records is essential for us in fulfilling our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As members of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists news media companies in investigating state and federal governmental agencies, we believe it is crucial to leverage Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws to ensure government actions are transparent and inform the American electorate.
For more information about our work or if you have any questions regarding this request, please visit https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
