Case: American Oversight v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
1:26-cv-01968 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: June 3, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case involves a request for documents from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the operations of two of its internal oversight offices. American Oversight, a nonprofit focused on government transparency and accountability, filed a lawsuit on June 3, 2026 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The complaint alleged violations of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) stemming from the defendants' failure to respond to four FOIA requests American Oversight submitted in April 2026. The plaintiff asked the court to order DHS to conduct a reasonable search for the requested records, to release all non-exempt responsive documents within 20 days, and to provide an index justifying any withholdings. American Oversight also requested an injunction against the Department's continued failure to respond to its requests, and sought the costs of litigation.
In March 2025, DHS announced that it planned to close two oversight offices: the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and the Office of Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO). Though DHS later retained a small number of staff for these offices, American Oversight alleged that CRCL and OIDO had effectively ceased fulfilling their statutory responsibilities, including responding to civil rights complaints and addressing conditions in immigration detention facilities. The plaintiff further alleged that these failures contributed to ongoing risks, including deaths in custody.
In April 2026, American Oversight submitted four FOIA requests to DHS and CBP seeking records related to the operations and oversight activities of these offices. The first request sought information on the status of OIDO and CRCL investigations opened since March 21, 2025, while the second sought policies, procedures, and protocols governing those offices' handling of deaths in immigration custody. The third and fourth requests focused on CBP and DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) records: the third pertained to deaths of individuals formerly in CBP custody, and the fourth addressed broader policies on deaths in immigration detention. Despite acknowledging receipt of the requests, DHS and CBP failed to provide any determinations, records, or further communication within the statutory timeframe. As of the filing date, American Oversight had not received any substantive response to its requests.
On June 4, 2026, the case was assigned to District Judge Loren AliKhan.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Trump2.0 Collection (6/14/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73435503/parties/american-oversight-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/
Martinez, Daniel Havlir (District of Columbia)
Sparks, Benjamin A. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Resources
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73435503/american-oversight-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/
Last updated Sept. 17, 2026, 3:21 a.m.
Docket for: AMERICAN OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 3, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A non-profit organization that seeks to promote transparency in government through public records requests
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Department of Homeland Security
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-01968
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Incident/accident reporting & investigations
Immigration/Border:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Case Summary of American Oversight v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48207/ (last updated 6/14/2026).