Evaluating Transparency During ICE Detainee Record Disposition

Abstract

In December 2019, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) approved an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Schedule DAA-0567-2015-0013 request for disposition of detainee records that included sexual assault and abuse allegation information. Despite receiving a record number of objections, NARA did not change the temporary status of the documents in question. This essay examines ICE record creation and NARA record handling policies, as well the Freedom of Information Act’s role in the transparency of both entities.