Department of State – FOIA F-2025-30610 – Embassy Lomé Consular Section Records (Closed Sept 30, 2025)

F-2025-30610
Appeal Filed
⚡ EXPEDITED

Summary

On September 29, 2025, Covenant for Forgotten Warriors submitted FOIA request F-2025-30610 via FOIA.gov seeking Embassy Lomé consular section records referencing Sgt Kelvin Blas from March 1, 2020 to present, including emails, cables, memoranda, call records, and coordination with Washington headquarters.

The request included both a fee waiver request and a request for expedited processing.

The request was filed and received the same day and marked “Closed” on September 30, 2025. No records were produced at the time of closure.

On November 27, 2025, an administrative appeal was filed challenging the Department’s closure of the request without issuance of a determination letter or production of records.

Procedural History & Updates

  • September 29, 2025 – Original FOIA Request Submission
  • September 29, 2025 – Automated Receipt Email – F-2025-30610
  • September 30, 2025 – Automated Closure Email – F-2025-30610 – Closed
  • November 27, 2025 – Administrative Appeal
  • December 5, 2025 – Urgent Demand – Appeal Ignored
  • December 5, 2025 – Email Transmission – Appeal Showing Received Then Closed a day later
  • December 23, 2025 – Appeals Office Non-Receipt Claim
  • February 20, 2026 – Resubmitted Appeals – awaiting Acknowledgement

Request Details

Agency Department of State
State Federal
Filed By Covenant for Forgotten Warriors (CFW)
Date Filed September 29, 2025
Statutory Deadline October 27, 2025

Document Types

FOIA Request

Investigation Campaigns

Kelvin Blas

Legal & Procedural Issues

Administrative Appeal Filed Appeal Acknowledgment Issue Appeal Receipt Dispute

Case Records

Original FOIA Request – Embassy Lomé Consular Records (Sept 29, 2025)
Released: September 29, 2025
FOIA.gov submission seeking Embassy Lomé consular section records referencing Sgt Kelvin Blas from March 2020 to present, including communications, coordination records, and consular documentation. Includes requests for fee waiver and expedited processing.
Download PDF (461 KB)
Automated Status Notification – Request Closed (Sept 30, 2025)
Released: September 30, 2025
Automated FOIA.gov email reflecting status update of FOIA request F-2025-30610 to “Closed” on September 30, 2025. The notification did not include a written determination letter or explanation.
Download PDF (40 KB)
Administrative Appeal – Improper Administrative Closure (Nov 27, 2025)
Released: November 27, 2025
Administrative appeal challenging the Department of State’s closure of FOIA request F-2025-30610 without production of records or issuance of a written determination letter. The appeal cites 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i) and 22 C.F.R. § 171.11, asserts that administrative closure without formal determination constitutes an adverse action subject to appeal, and requests reversal, comprehensive OIG search, and proper written determination.
Download PDF (91 KB)
Appeals Office Response – Appeal Receipt Dispute (Dec 23, 2025)
Released: December 23, 2025
Email from the Department of State Litigation and Appeals Office responding to December 15 correspondence, stating that prior appeals for certain FOIA requests were not received and requesting resubmission.
Download PDF (35 KB)
Email – Follow-Up on Appeal & Demand for Action (Dec 5, 2025)
Released: December 5, 2025
Email transmission to [email protected]
and [email protected]
attaching the December 5, 2025 demand letter regarding F-2025-30610. The email notes that more than eight days had elapsed without response to the November 27 administrative appeal.
Download PDF (90 KB)
Urgent Demand – Appeal Ignored & Procedural Closure Challenge (Dec 5, 2025)
Released: December 5, 2025
Formal demand letter to the Department of State Office of the General Counsel asserting that the administrative closure of FOIA request F-2025-30610 was procedurally defective and that the November 27, 2025 appeal had received no acknowledgment or response. The letter demands reopening of the request and confirmation of a records search within seven business days.
Download PDF (39 KB)
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