Giving Our Thanks this November

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-vintage-weird-irbY9jQpbV4Qg Vintage Dress Up by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 234273518. This week many Americans will gather with friends and/or family to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks. OGIS is no different as we all plan to share time with our loved ones. With that in mind, we also want to say … Continue reading Giving Our Thanks this November

OGIS Publishes Updated Immigration Observer

The President's Committee For Hungarian Refugees, Prospectus for Kilmer Operation. National Archives Identifier 24443. A popular resource for using FOIA to access immigration records across the federal government has been updated with the publication of an updated Immigration Ombuds Observer on our website. This document supersedes our 2018 Immigration Observer, now archived. The webpage serves … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Updated Immigration Observer

OGIS Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report Now Available

The Office of Government Information Services 2023 Report for Fiscal Year 2022 is now available on our website. Highlights include:  Handling over 4,500 requests for assistance — from both FOIA requesters and agencies. Providing a new virtual training program on negotiation for FOIA professionals. Leading and collaborating with the Chief FOIA Officers Council Technology Committee … Continue reading OGIS Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report Now Available

FOIA Improvements at the Department of Homeland Security

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-space-nasa-apollo-11-kvl2YhR110qsBrHid2 From National Archives Identifier 649447 Later this month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin migrating to a new FOIA system and anticipates temporary delays in responding to requesters while launching the new system. According to the DHS FOIA website, the migration to a new system will be staggered across DHS processing centers … Continue reading FOIA Improvements at the Department of Homeland Security

FOIA Advisory Committee Votes on Recommendations to Archivist

Above: This is America...where you vote as you please. National Archives Identifier 515775 During their meetings on March 10 and April 7, 2022, the 2020-2022 FOIA Advisory Committee met to discuss and vote on recommendations to the Archivist of the United States for improving FOIA administration. Recommendations ranging from agency reporting on “Glomar” responses to … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Votes on Recommendations to Archivist

Register now for the Nov. 5th Webinar: Artificial Intelligence for FOIA Professionals

New Super Computers at NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS)National Archives ID: 18447042 Are you a government FOIA professional interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the world of FOIA?  The Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (OIP), and OGIS invite agency FOIA professionals to join them for a presentation by the AI Working Group … Continue reading Register now for the Nov. 5th Webinar: Artificial Intelligence for FOIA Professionals

2018-2020 FOIA Advisory Committee Draft Final Report Available for Public Comment

Including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in agency strategic plans, providing mandatory annual FOIA training, and briefing new senior leaders on their obligations and responsibilities under FOIA are among 22 recommendations in a draft final report from the third term of the FOIA Advisory Committee to the Archivist of the United States. The Committee … Continue reading 2018-2020 FOIA Advisory Committee Draft Final Report Available for Public Comment

Join Us December 6 for the Next FOIA Advisory Committee Meeting!

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processors and requesters who took a voluntary survey to help the Federal FOIA Advisory Committee better understand the challenges of navigating the FOIA process may wish to attend the next Committee meeting on December 6, 2019. The meeting, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the William G. McGowan Theater … Continue reading Join Us December 6 for the Next FOIA Advisory Committee Meeting!

Department of Justice Releases New Guidance on FOIA Exemption 4

As you may have heard, on June 24, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court  issued an opinion on a case involving the “privileged or confidential” requirement of FOIA Exemption 4, Food Mktg Inst. v. Argus Leader Media, 139 S. Ct. 915 (June 24, 2019). Exemption 4 protects "trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from … Continue reading Department of Justice Releases New Guidance on FOIA Exemption 4

Share Your Thoughts with the FOIA Advisory Committee

What challenges do you face as you navigate the FOIA process? Whether you are an agency FOIA professional or a FOIA requester, the Federal FOIA Advisory Committee wants to hear from you. The Committee is asking both those who administer and use the Federal FOIA to take a voluntary survey to help inform its understanding … Continue reading Share Your Thoughts with the FOIA Advisory Committee