FAIR Files FOIA Lawsuit Against ICE to Expose the Biden Administration’s Cancellation of
Operation Talon

Action seeks to ‘pierce the veil of secrecy’ and ensure accountability

WASHINGTON—The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has filed a lawsuit ([link removed]) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The suit seeks to enforce the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and compel ICE to produce records related to the suspension and eventual cancellation of Operation Talon—an operation targeting illegal alien sex offenders that was abruptly shut down by the Biden administration in early 2021.

This lawsuit stems from a FOIA request FAIR submitted to ICE in February 2021, shortly after reports emerged that the administration had canceled Operation Talon amid broader efforts to scale back immigration enforcement. The cancellation drew sharp criticism, including from 18 state attorneys general who warned it could incentivize foreign sexual predators to enter the U.S. illegally.

Despite repeated follow-ups from FAIR on its request for records, ICE delayed its response for over four years. The agency ultimately released only a small number of heavily redacted documents, while improperly claiming statutory exemptions to withhold key information. FAIR is committed to rooting out who was behind the decision to cancel Operation Talon and what their motivations were. With the filing of this FOIA lawsuit, we aim to shed light on how the Biden administration prioritized politics over public safety, and in the long-run undermined efforts to remove dangerous criminal aliens from American communities.

“Canceling Operation Talon sent a dangerous signal that the Biden administration was willing to weaken immigration enforcement at the expense of protecting victims from sexual predators,” said Dale Wilcox, FAIR’s executive director and general counsel. “This lawsuit will pierce the veil of secrecy around that decision, exposing the officials and influences involved to ensure accountability and prevent future lapses in safeguarding our communities.”

“Our FOIA efforts aim to uncover the full chain of command and motivations behind scrapping an operation focused on deporting convicted sex offenders,” said Mateo Forero, FAIR director of investigations. “The withheld records will reveal who orchestrated this rollback and why, helping to hold those responsible accountable for endangering public safety.”

The case is FAIR v. ICE, Case No. 1:25-cv-3619 (D.D.C.)

ABOUT FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR ([link removed]) is the country’s largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

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Hayley Hill

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