A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Hancock County Sheriff's office on February 18, 2025. The request was made by West Central Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request seeks documents and records showing persons committed to the Hancock County Sheriff'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.
Additionally, the request seeks any correspondence 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.
Also requested are any Immigration Detainers received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that are reportable under these same acts.
As members of West Central Reporter and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, we believe in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. We have requested a fee waiver as media professionals for this information.
For more information about our coalition's work in leveraging Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws to investigate state and federal governmental agencies, please visit https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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