Department of State – FOIA F-2025-30283 – Embassy Lomé Consular Assistance Decision Records (Sept 2025)

F-2025-30283

Appeal Filed

⚡ EXPEDITED

Summary

On September 24, 2025, Covenant for Forgotten Warriors submitted FOIA request F-2025-30283 to the U.S. Department of State seeking internal Embassy Lomé records documenting or justifying decisions to limit, delay, or deny consular assistance to Sgt Kelvin Blas.

The request specifically sought draft and final memoranda, internal briefing materials, cables, legal adviser guidance, and escalation communications to senior embassy leadership concerning the rationale for withholding or restricting support following the seizure of Sgt. Blas’s passport.

Procedural History & Updates

September 24, 2025 – Original FOIA Request
September 26, 2025 – Acknowledgment + Fee Waiver Denial
September 26, 2025 – Appeal of Fee Waiver Denial
December 5, 2025 – Urgent Demand Letter
December 8, 2025 – Automated Portal Status Change Emails
December 9, 2025 – Email – Challenge to No Records
December 9, 2025 – Formal Challenge Letter
December 11, 2025 – Appeal Acknowledgement – A-2026-0005

Request Details

Agency Department of State

State Federal

Filed By Covenant for Forgotten Warriors (CFW)

Date Filed September 24, 2025

Statutory Deadline October 24, 2025

Document Types

FOIA Request

Investigation Campaigns

Kelvin Blas

Legal & Procedural Issues

Expedited Processing Denied No Records Response

Case Records

Original FOIA Request – Embassy Lomé Consular Decision Records (Sept 24, 2025)

Released: September 24, 2025

FOIA submission seeking internal Embassy Lomé records documenting or justifying decisions to limit, delay, or deny consular assistance to Sgt Kelvin Blas, including memoranda, cables, legal clearance notes, and escalation communications from the date of passport seizure to present.

Download PDF (72 KB)

Acknowledgment Letter – Complex Track & Fee Waiver Denied (Sept 26, 2025)

Released: September 26, 2025

Department of State acknowledgment of FOIA request F-2025-30283 placing the request in the complex processing track due to “unusual circumstances” and denying the requested fee waiver. The letter advises of appeal rights within 90 days.

Download PDF (158 KB)

Appeal Letter – Fee Waiver Denial (Sept 26, 2025)

Released: September 26, 2025

Administrative appeal challenging the Department of State’s denial of a fee waiver for FOIA request F-2025-30283. The appeal argues financial hardship, nonprofit public-interest purpose, and compliance with the statutory fee waiver standard under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii) and 22 CFR § 171.16(j)(2)(ii).

Download PDF (53 KB)

Urgent Demand Letter – Statutory Deadline Violation (Dec 5, 2025)

Released: December 5, 2025

Formal demand letter sent to the Department of State asserting violation of FOIA statutory response deadlines for request F-2025-30283. The letter demands full production or a detailed written explanation within seven business days and outlines potential escalation to administrative appeal, OGIS, Inspector General, and Congressional oversight.

Download PDF (195 KB)

Automated Status Change Emails – “In Process” to “Closed” (Dec 8, 2025)

Released: December 8, 2025

Combined PDF of automated FOIA portal notifications reflecting a status change for F-2025-30283 from “In Process” to “Closed” on December 8, 2025. Includes full email headers and timestamps.

Download PDF (49 KB)

Email – Challenge to No Records Determination (Dec 9, 2025)

Released: December 9, 2025

Email correspondence sent to the Department of State FOIA Office challenging the “no records” determination for FOIA request F-2025-30283 and transmitting a formal written challenge. The email requests a response within ten business days and asserts the search was inadequate.

Download PDF (57 KB)

Formal Challenge to No Records Determination (Dec 9, 2025)

Released: December 9, 2025

Comprehensive written challenge disputing the Department of State’s “no records” determination for FOIA request F-2025-30283. The letter alleges an inadequate search, identifies specific record systems that should have been reviewed, raises Federal Records Act concerns, and requests a detailed search affidavit under penalty of perjury.

Download PDF (137 KB)

Appeal Acknowledgment – Appeal No. A-2026-00052 (Dec 11, 2025)

Released: December 11, 2025

Department of State acknowledgment of administrative appeal concerning FOIA request F-2025-30283. The appeal was assigned tracking number A-2026-00052. The letter confirms receipt of the December 9, 2025 appeal but does not provide a substantive determination.

Download PDF (39 KB)

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