Electronic Privacy Information Center v. Customs and Border Protection

160 F. Supp. 3d 354, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18757, 2016 WL 632179
CourtDistrict Court, District of Columbia
DecidedFebruary 17, 2016
DocketCivil Action No. 2014-1217
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 160 F. Supp. 3d 354 (Electronic Privacy Information Center v. Customs and Border Protection) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, District of Columbia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Electronic Privacy Information Center v. Customs and Border Protection, 160 F. Supp. 3d 354, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18757, 2016 WL 632179 (D.D.C. 2016).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

REGGIE B. WALTON, United States District Judge

The plaintiff, Electronic Privacy Information Center, submitted a request to the defendant, Customs and Border Protection, a component of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. § 552 (2012), seeking documents relating to the defendant’s Analytical Framework for Intelligence system. Complaint (“Compl.”) ¶ 2. The defendant has produced, in whole or in part, some responsive documents in response to the FOIA request, and withheld certain other materials pursuant to Exemption 7(E) of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(7)(E). Currently pending before the Court are the Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (“Def.’s Mot.”), ECF No. 18, and the Plaintiffs Combined Opposition to [the] Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment (“Pl.’s Mot.”), ECF No. 20. Upon careful consideration of the parties’ submissions, the Court concludes that the defendant’s motion must be denied and the plaintiffs motion must be granted in part *356 and denied in part. 1

I.BACKGROUND

The following facts are undisputed unless otherwise noted. The plaintiff submitted its FOIA request to the defendant in April 2014, seeking information primarily-relating to the defendant’s Analytical Framework for Intelligence (“AFI”) system. Def.’s Facts ¶ 1; Pl.’s Facts ¶ 1. According to the defendant, the AFI system “enhances DHS’s ability to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who pose a potential law enforcement or security risk; and it aids in the enforcement of customs and immigration laws, and other laws enforced by DHS at the border.” Def.’s Facts ¶ 2 (quoting Notice, Analytical Framework for Intelligence (AFI) System, 77 Fed. Reg. 33753, 33753 (June 7, 2012)). But see Pl.’s Facts ¶ 2 (partially disputing matters set forth in Def.’s Facts ¶ 2). In addition, the defendant states that the AFI system “improves the efficiency and effectiveness of [Customs and Border Protection’s] research and analysis process by providing a platform for the research, collaboration, approval, and publication of finished intelligence products.” Def.’s Facts ¶ 2 (quoting 77 Fed. Reg. at 33753). But see Pl.’s Facts ¶ 2 (partially disputing matters set forth in Def.’s Facts ¶ 2).

The plaintiffs FOIA request sought four categories of information:

1. All AFI training modules, request forms, and similar final guidance documents that are used in, or will be used in, the operation of the program;
2. Any records, memos, opinions, communications, or other documents that discuss potential or actual sources of information not currently held in DHS databases, or potential or actual uses of information not currently held in DHS databases;
3. Any records, contracts, or other communications with commercial data ag-gregators regarding the AFI program; [and]
4. The Privacy Compliance Report initiated in August of 2013.

Def.’s Mot., Exhibit (“Ex.”) B at 2; PL’s Mot., Ex. 1 at 1. After the defendant failed to comply with the plaintiffs FOIA request within the statutory deadline, the plaintiff initiated this suit. Def.’s Facts ¶ 3; PL’s Facts ¶ 1. Subsequently, the defendant located 358 pages of responsive records of which 89 were released in full, 267 were partially released, and 2 pages were withheld in full. Def.’s Facts ¶ 4; PL’s Facts ¶ 1. One of the documents initially withheld in full, the Privacy Compliance Report, is no longer being withheld and has been produced to the plaintiff by the defendant. Def.’s Facts ¶ 5; PL’s Facts ¶ 1. The information not produced was withheld by the defendant pursuant to FOIA *357 Exemptions 3, 4, 6, 7(C), and 7(E), 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(6), (b)(7)(C), (b)(7)(E). Def.’s Facts ¶ 5; Pl.’s Facts ¶ 1. The plaintiff no longer challenges the defendant’s withholdings under Exemptions 3, 4, 6, and 7(C), Pl.’s Mem. at 6; Def.’s Reply at 2, but continues to challenge the defendant’s withholdings in full or in part information contained in 314 pages under Exemption 7(E), PL’s Mem. at 6.

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

The Court must grant a motion for summary judgment “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). When ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the Court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Holcomb v. Powell, 433 F.3d 889, 895 (D.C.Cir.2006) (citing Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., 530 U.S. 133, 150, 120 S.Ct. 2097, 147 L.Ed.2d 105 (2000)). The Court must therefore draw “all justifiable inferences” in the non-moving party’s favor and accept the non-moving party’s evidence as true. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). The non-moving party, however, cannot rely on “mere allegations or denials.” Burke v. Gould, 286 F.3d 513, 517 (D.C.Cir.2002) (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505). Thus, “[c]onclusory allegations unsupported by factual data will not create a triable issue of fact.” Pub. Citizen Health Research Grp, v. Food & Drug Admin., 185 F.3d 898, 908 (D.C.Cir.1999) (quoting Exxon Corp. v Fed. Trade Comm’n, 663 F.2d 120, 126-27 (D.C.Cir.1980)) (alteration in original). If the Court concludes that “the nonmoving party has failed to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of [its] case with respect to which [it] has the burden of proof,” then the moving party is entitled to summary judgment. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). Moreover, “in ruling on cross-motions for summary judgment, the [C]ourt shall grant summary judgment only if one of the moving parties is entitled to judgment as a matter of law upon material facts that are not genuinely disputed.” Shays v. Fed. Election Comm’n, 424 F.Supp.2d 100, 109 (D.D.C.2006) (citation omitted).

FOIA cases are typically resolved on motions for summary judgment. Ortiz v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 67 F.Supp.3d 109, 116 (D.D.C.2014); Defenders of Wildlife v. U.S. Border Patrol, 623 F.Supp.2d 83, 87 (D.D.C.2009). “[The] FOIA requires federal agencies to disclose, upon request, broad classes of agency records unless the records are covered by the statute’s exemptions.” Students Against Genocide v.

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160 F. Supp. 3d 354, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18757, 2016 WL 632179, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/electronic-privacy-information-center-v-customs-and-border-protection-dcd-2016.