Expose and Disrupt

Community Resources
Enforcement
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The “Expose and Disrupt” guide illustrates how immigrant rights advocates can use state Public Records Act (PRA) requests to fight back against immigration enforcement. Strategic PRA requests can peel back the curtain on ways state and local agencies work together with immigration authorities to reinforce the deportation machinery and traumatize our communities. The guide explains the mechanics of requesting public records, strategies on what information can be useful for campaigns to stop or limit immigration enforcement, and includes examples of what kinds of records exist.

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Section 1 - What is a Public Records Act (PRA) Request? Why is it Important?

Modeled after the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), PRAs – shorthand for Public Records Acts– are state laws that empower the public to hold their state and local authorities accountable by requesting information about their policies and operations. Alongside promoting governmental transparency, PRAs have long been critical tools of resistance and social justice efforts.

While immigration enforcement is entrusted strictly to the federal government, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have increasingly co-opted the resources of law enforcement to run their operations. As a result, those local and state agencies also possess many records related to immigration enforcement that can be accessed via state public records requests.

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Section 2 - Basics of the Arrest to Deportation Pipeline

Although Public Records Act (PRA) requests can turnover crucial information for advocacy groups, the sheer amount of records within the many different government agencies can be overwhelming. To understand what information could be useful, it’s crucial to understand immigration authorities’ relationship to local and state agencies. ICE’s partnership with local and state law enforcement is the main engine of the interior deportation system. About 75% of all ICE arrests nationwide are facilitated through the criminal legal system. This system is sometimes referred to as the arrest to deportation pipeline.

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Section 3 - Which Agencies Should I Focus On?

Local or state agencies have no federal legal obligation to work with ICE, but historically, law enforcement agencies have been more than happy to assist. This is particularly true of sheriffs, but police, probation, state prisons, joint task forces, and private companies participate in various ways. These inter-agency partnerships also allow ICE to appropriate local and state level resources for unjust and racially discriminatory purposes. This section explains how various local and state agencies may be contributing to the deportation machine.

See more on the most common local and state agencies that work with immigration authorities:

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Section 4 - What Records Should I Ask For?

With an understanding of the agencies involved in the arrest to deportation pipeline, you can tailor requests for records to better understand immigration enforcement in your community. This section includes ideas on the kinds of records you can request to help you uncover how law enforcement is involved with immigration authorities, and ultimately support campaigns to disrupt this inter-agency cooperation. It also provides various examples of advocates’ PRA requests and agencies’ responses to PRA requests. See more on the different types of records that might show how your local agencies are involved:

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Section 5 - Case Studies: How Campaigns Use PRA Requests to Disrupt the Arrest to Deportation Pipeline

PRA requests were designed to increase public awareness of government operations, and resources, and to hold authorities accountable. Obtaining information about how law enforcement is targeting immigrants comes with a responsibility to notify your broader community. The case studies in this section illustrate some of the PRA strategies advocates have used to raise awareness and push back against immigration enforcement in their communities.

  • Campaigns to limit or stop ICE collusion in your community
  • Holding the Government Accountable
  • Reporting the Information
  • Sharing your Findings with the Media
  • Empowering the Community

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Section 6 - Drafting your Public Records Act (PRA) Request

One of the most challenging aspects of filing a public records act request is translating the information you want into a request for records from the agency. But you don’t need a lawyer to request records held by your state or local government. This section gives an overview about the process and logistics of drafting a PRA request, including what to do before you file, key components to include in your request, and letter templates. It’s good to have a plan, including an organizing and communications strategy, but you can also make a simple request that doesn’t cost you much time. See the Appendix for sample records requests.

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Section 7 - Frequently Asked Questions and Further Resources

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