U.S. Department
of Justice
CRS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
FOIA Contact
Arla Witte-Simpson
FOIA Public Liaison
Executive Office for United States Attorneys
Department of Justice
175 N Street, N.E.
Suite 5.400
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Phone: 202-252-6036
Email: MRUFOIA.Requests@usdoj.gov
CRS FOIA Requestor Service Contact
202.252.6020
FOIA Library
The FOIA Library includes frequently requested records, opinions, policy statements, and staff manuals/instructions to staff, created by Community Relations Service after November 1, 1996.
Component Description
For over 60 years, CRS has been “America’s Peacemaker.” Title X of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, established the Community Relations Service with the mandate to offer “conciliation assistance” to communities where “ disputes, disagreements, or difficulties” threaten “peaceful relations among the citizens of the community involved” regarding “discriminatory practices based on race, color, or national origin.” CRS assists communities through facilitated dialogue, mediation, training, and consultation to overcome differences and build the skills needed to prevent future disputes.
DOJ Reference Guide
The DOJ Reference Guide is a comprehensive guide to the FOIA that serves as a handbook for obtaining information from the Department. Furthermore, FOIA.gov provides additional details about the FOIA, including a description of the FOIA's Exemptions and Exclusions.
How to File a FOIA Request
To file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Community Relations Service (CRS), please follow the steps outlined below:
Submit Your Request
All FOIA requests must be directed to the CRS FOIA Officer, Arla Witte-Simpson, who serves as the FOIA Public Liaison and. Requests must be submitted in writing—either by mail, email, or through the FOIA.gov website. Please note that oral requests will not be processed as FOIA requests.
Provide a Clear Description
Your request must reasonably describe the records you are seeking to obtain.
Send Your Request
You can send your FOIA request to the following contact information:
- Email: MRUFOIA.Requests@usdoj.gov
- Mail: 175 N Street, NE, Suite 5.400, Washington, DC 20530
- Online: Submit via FOIA.gov
Processing Requests
- Immediate Forwarding
Upon receipt, all FOIA requests are promptly forwarded to the FOIA Officer for processing. - Review and Sanitization
The FOIA Officer reviews the requested records and sanitizes them by removing any personal, pre-decisional, or exempt information before they are released. - Records Management
Each request is assigned a unique CRS FOIA number and stored in designated folders. Responsive documents are carefully organized and paginated, with separate folders for both redacted and unredacted records. - Processing Time
Requests are typically processed in the order they are received. The time required to respond to a request may vary depending on its complexity and any backlog of requests currently pending at the agency.
Disclosure and Notifications
- Response Time
Agencies are required to respond to written FOIA requests within 20 days. However, response times may vary depending on the complexity of the request. - Disclosure
The FOIA Officer will send copies of the responsive records to relevant employees for review and comment before they are shared with the requester. An explanation will accompany the released records, detailing any information that has been disclosed or withheld. - Notification
To prevent misunderstandings, the FOIA Officer may notify individuals or organizations mentioned in the disclosed records prior to their release.
Processing Protocols
The FOIA Officer is responsible for gathering, reviewing, and sanitizing records in response to FOIA requests. Any portions of the records that are personal, confidential, or exempt under FOIA will be redacted before disclosure.