Case Overview

Muslim Advocates filed this federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) seeking information regarding the agency’s border search processes.

In March 2017, Muslim Advocates, in conjunction with the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center, filed a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request with DHS, following reports that DHS was—and may continue to—subject travelers who are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim (including U.S. citizens) to discriminatory procedures at the border. In particular, this request sought documents and information concerning DHS’s searches of travelers’ phones and electronic devices, including requests for passwords and social media accounts, at the border.

After receiving no documents from DHS in response to the FOIA request, and after timely exhausting all of its remedies, Muslim Advocates, along with the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center and the law firm of Jenner & Block, filed this lawsuit to compel DHS to respond to its FOIA request.

Case Details

Date filed: May 2, 2017

Court(s):  United States District Court for the District of Columbia