A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office in Illinois on February 18, 2025. The request, filed by a reporter from the Kankakee Times, sought information about inmates who have had Immigration Detainers issued against them by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency since January 29, 2024.
The request also asked for any communication from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding civil enforcement that is reportable under the TRUST Act and/or the Illinois VOICES Act. Both these laws were designed to improve transparency and trust between law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities.
As members of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting transparency in government actions, we at the Kankakee Times believe that access to such public records is essential for holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We are committed to leveraging Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws to pull back the curtain on government actions and help inform the American electorate. We will continue our efforts to investigate state and federal governmental agencies and advocate for greater transparency in all areas of governance.
The Kankakee Times awaits a response from the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office regarding this FOIA request.
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