FAFO: FOIA Around And Find Out.

Posted to Paperslip on January 30th, 2026.

I want to note that there is a group still actively encouraging US Adoptees to file a FOIA request in these times. While they are at least including a cautionary message - since I *ASKED* them to do so when advising Korean Adoptees about FOIA, even after they plagiarized our page - they still seem to think it's a good idea to encourage Korean Adoptees to file a FOIA request right now. 

Please note that you should really consult with a US Immigr. Attorney BEFORE you decide to file a FOIA request. 

Many people forget, but the trigger for a highly prominent Korean Adoptee's dep*rt*ation was when he applied to renew his legal green card. This triggered an investigation and it was then discovered he had not been naturalized, and had felonies in his history. He was subsequently removed from the US to Korea, and to this day has a 10 year ban from the US.

While Adoptee Rights Law has always maintained that filing a FOIA request should not trigger any kind of investigation, I have been in touch with this organization for years, as this is the main source of Paperslip's FOIA information - which I have always credited, since I have a sense of ETHICS. Since the new administration came to power, there are things that Adoptee Rights Law have said would NOT happen that HAVE happened, as conditions continue to worsen here in the US. I trust and greatly value Adoptee Rights Law's advice, but I also trust my own instincts when it comes to the current environment here in the US. 

Please use CAUTION when engaging with ANY processes involving the US govt. right now. 

Here is Paperslip's FOIA page, which was recently plagiarized by another group. This group only began to advise Korean Adoptees to file FOIA requests in 2026, and it’s blatantly obvious that they plagiarized our page. By contrast, I have been advising Korean Adoptees to file FOIA requests since 2018 — and for years have been monitoring what happens when Korean Adoptees make FOIA requests, informally through what they report back. I really don't want to see folks hurt by triggering anything adverse by filing a FOIA request IF it's unnecessary to do right now. However, IF you have adverse circumstances, or are not sure if you were ever Naturalized, PLEASE consult an Immigr. Attorney whom you trust BEFORE you file a FOIA request. Please note that FOIA requests are coming back up to 90% redacted right now, and are unfortunately practically useless. 

It is hoped that FOIA will rebound in the future.