A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Perry County Sheriff's Office in Illinois on February 18, 2025. The request was made by SW Illinois News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The records requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act include documents and/or records showing persons committed to the Perry County 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, requests from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding civil enforcement were also sought. These 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.
The FOIA request also asked for Immigration Detainers received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which are reportable under these same acts.
As members of SW Illinois News and The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit Missouri Corporation assisting news media companies in investigating state and federal governmental agencies, we believe access to public records is essential for our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. We requested a fee waiver as media professionals due to our role in disseminating information.
For more information about our coalition's work in opposing governmental secrecy, please visit https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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