← Back to the tracker

USCIS · Appeals · Request IRW-041

Results of FOIA appeals

This request asks for monthly counts of FOIA appeal decisions by outcome (such as reversed, upheld or sent back), from January 1, 2024 to the present. Where USCIS can track it, it asks to list separately the appeals of requests that were closed over proof of identity.

Why it matters
An appeal is how a requester challenges a decision. The outcomes show how often the first decision was changed.
ProcessingExtension invoked 27 business days since filing (39 calendar days)

Figures as of Oct 17, 2026. Check after Nov 16, 2026: if you are reading later than that, these figures may be out of date.

These figures are more than 30 days old. They may not reflect what has happened since Oct 17, 2026.

Extension invoked
USCIS told the requester it would invoke the 10-working-day "unusual circumstances" extension the law allows (5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(B)). USCIS placed this request in its "simple track (Track 1)," and the same letter invoked the extension. It said USCIS would need to collect records "from multiple offices, both at headquarters and in the field" and might need to "consult with another agency or other component" of the Department of Homeland Security. What an extension means

Timeline

  1. FiledSep 8, 2026
  2. Acknowledged by USCISOct 7, 2026
  3. Final responseNot yet received

File this request too

Template T-02
Aggregate data showing FOIA appeal dispositions by month and disposition type (completely reversed, partially reversed, completely upheld, remanded, other), January 1, 2024 to present, separately identifying appeals of Verification of Identity based closures where trackable.
How to file it