Begin forwarded message:

From: “D.A. KING”
Subject: OPEN RECORDS REQUEST
Date: February 24, 2016 at 2:43:56 PM EST
To: openrecords@gbi.state.ga.us

To whom it may concern at GBI,

I understand that a question for information is not part of the open records request laws.

That said, herein, I am respectfully asking for an answer to a question and then, separately below, including my official request for open records regarding the federal resource described and linked below.

As background I include a link to one of many news stories concerning the fact that last year, about 90,000 criminal aliens were released from federal custody, elsewhere reported to include convicted murderers, rapists and kidnappers. Many of these deportable criminal aliens have located themselves in Georgia.
Re; Enforcement Integrated Database (EID)/Law Enforcement Notification System (LENS) info here —> https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/privacy-piaupdate-eid-september2015_0.pdf

“The Enforcement Integrated Database (EID) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared common database repository for several DHS law enforcement and homeland security applications. EID captures and maintains information related to the investigation, arrest, booking, detention, and removal of persons encountered during immigration and criminal law enforcement investigations and operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all components within DHS. The Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for EID was published in January 2010.1 Since its publication, the PIA has been updated several times to reflect the expansion of information entered into EID, the types of information shared with external parties, and an enhanced electronic sharing capability. “This EID PIA Update addresses plans to further expand domestic law enforcement information sharing by notifying domestic law enforcement agencies when aliens convicted of certain violent or serious crimes, including felonies and misdemeanors, are released from ICE custody.2”

* Question: Does the GBI currently take advantage of and use/subscribe to the Enforcement Integrated Database (EID) and or the federal Law Enforcement Notification System (LENS) program database as described and linked above?
* If not, are there plans to apply to begin use in the next six months?

OFFICIAL OPEN RECORDS REQUEST:

Please forward to me copies of any internal GBI documents, including email traffic, related to the GBI’s use, or application for us,e of or mention of the federal Enforcement Integrated Database (EID) and or the federal Law Enforcement Notification System (LENS) programs/databases which can be used to track and have knowledge of criminal aliens released from federal custody onto the streets of Georgia. Enforcement Integrated Database (EID).

Please feel free to call me with any questions.

I am able and happy to pay any lawfully accessed copying fees.

Thank you,

D.A. King
**********
Marietta, ga. 30066

____

Response from GBI:

March 8, 2016 at 2:50 PM

From Andrew Mossman

To D.A. King

Open records request

Mr. King,

Both EID and LENS are federal systems that are capable of transmiting federal records from federal law enforcement entities to local law enforcement agencies via an authorized NCIC terminal. Similarly, any email sent to, or received from, EID or LENS authorities regarding the use, or application for use, of that system would also involve a federal entity. As specified under O.C.G.A. §50-18-72(a)(1), records or related material which were received from a federal agency are exempt from Open Records requests. If you have any further questions, please direct them to openrecords@gbi.state.ga.us.

Andrew Mossman
Assistant Special Agent in Charge
Georgia Bureau of Investigation__

(From David Rybicki

March 2, 2016 at 5:32 PM)

I think maybe you’ll need to do some investigating at your end, i.e., call GBI, because it seems that the data are being sent there

From: D. A. King [mailto:dking1952@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 5:31 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: Re: Voice Message From: KING DA, 1 (404) 3166712

Yes,we want to know more. The goal here is to locate exact office that receives notices of release of criminal aliens into Georgia. Thank you very much!
dak

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 2, 2016, at 3:55 PM, Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov> wrote:

Does this help?

FROM DHS:

I have tracked down some information on this. First – the information is being sent to what I believe is a fusion center, the Georgia Information Sharing Analysis Center. It’s part of GBI, from what I am told. (NOTE FROM D.A. SEE SB 416)

With regard to messages, they are pushed out via NLETS, which is a secure law enforcement system. So it’s not so much a “use” thing as a “receive messages” thing.

What I don’t know now is how many LENS messages have gone out to the GBI fusion center via NLETS.

Does that help you check with GBI about how these messages are being received? Do you want to know more about one aspect or another?    4salzer

From: D.A. King [mailto:DKing1952@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 3:26 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: Re: Voice Message From: KING DA, 1 (404) 3166712

I am very grateful for the help, David. Thanks!
On Mar 2, 2016, at 3:24 PM, Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov> wrote:

DA – still waiting on those guys, will ping them again. Sorry for this delay, but it’s very difficult to get answers out of them quickly.

From: KING DA [mailto:tel=1_404_3166712@email.senate.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 1:48 PM
To: DAVID RYBICKI <40925@email.senate.gov>
Subject: Voice Message From: KING DA, 1 (404) 3166712

<VoiceMessage.wav>

Below ADDED 27 December, 2016 There is an attachment that is linked at the bottom.

From: Rowe, Andrew J <Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, March 9, 2016 17:05
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

ERO checked from our end. They sent me some dates of messages and said they could confirm that the most recent January 19 message was received.

Dates of LENS messages to Georgia.
• September 23, 2015
• October 14, 2015
• November 4, 2015
• December 1, 2015
• December 30, 2015
• January 19, 2016

ERO shared with me this sample LENS message as well. You probably could expect that I can’t send the actual text of a real message through open messages via email, or release personally identifiable information – but the sample might be informative.

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) [mailto:David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2016 3:43 PM
To: Rowe, Andrew J
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

Hi Andrew – me again.

Here’s the latest: GBI will not confirm that they receive the information.

Can you give me specific information about the Georgia Infromation Sharing Analysis Center, what it is, what it gets? This would be helpful. thanks

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 3:40 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

I have tracked down some information on this. First – the information is being sent to what I believe is a fusion center, the Georgia Information Sharing Analysis Center. It’s part of GBI, from what I am told.

With regard to messages, they are pushed out via NLETS, which is a secure law enforcement system. So it’s not so much a “use” thing as a “receive messages” thing.

What I don’t know now is how many LENS messages have gone out to the GBI fusion center via NLETS.

Does that help you check with GBI about how these messages are being received? Do you want to know more about one aspect or another?

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) [mailto:David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 3:25 PM
To: Rowe, Andrew J
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

Andrew – any progress on this? Thanks

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 5:41 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

David – I’ve asked ERO to get me this. I hope to follow up soon with you.

Andrew Rowe
Office of Congressional Relations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Desk: 202-732-5344
IPhone: 202-246-2227

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 12:07:18 PM
To: Rowe, Andrew J
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

Hello Andrew!

Another LENS question I hope you can help me with. A state lawmaker is claiming that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is NOT using the LENS system currently, which contradicts my understanding that LENS has been operational in Georgia for some time.

Can you give me an idea of exactly which state/local law enforcement agencies in Georgia (1) have access to LENS and (2) are presently using it?

I would very much appreciate your assistance with this inquiry.

Thanks, and please call me if you’d like to discuss
David Rybicki
202-224-0295

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 3:34 PM
To: Zoller, Martha (Perdue) <Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov>; Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

OK, I’ve checked with my boss. We can set up a briefing for your office to participate, both DC and Georgia folks, and we have ongoing liaison with state and local law enforcement and want to continue that. However, we aren’t going to have this briefing joined by someone from an NGO/think tank. If a legislator wants to talk to someone from an outside organization before or after the call, that shouldn’t be a problem, just not joining everyone on the same call.

David, Martha – if you’d like, give me a call, but this is how the lanes work in my office. I hope you understand. If that is OK, we can set this up.

Thank you.

Andy Rowe
ICE Congressional Relations

From: Zoller, Martha (Perdue) [mailto:Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 12:11 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep); Rowe, Andrew J
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

I did send that to him.

But here it is again. J

Sen. Josh McKoon
D. A. King
Jessica Vaughn is assisting Sen. McKoon and D. A. in crafting the legislation for Georgia. That’s her involvement.

Do we have a date and time?

Martha

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 12:07 PM
To: Rowe, Andrew J <Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov>; Zoller, Martha (Perdue) <Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

I was not aware – and still am not aware – who specifically will attend. Martha, can you make sure to get Andrew a complete list of all attendees so he can decide what format is most appropriate given the audience?

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 12:03 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>; Zoller, Martha (Perdue) <Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

David – I don’t think anyone here gathered when setting this up that Jessica Vaughan was not from Georgia, law enforcement or a local elected official, who we thought the audience was for this call about LENS in Georgia. Before we schedule, can we arrange to set up something separate for her?

Andrew Rowe

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 9:07 AM
To: ‘Velazquez, Ricardo L’ <Ricardo.L.Velazquez@ice.dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: LENS

Ricardo – Andrew Rowe got back to me and told me that LENS is operational in GA. Thanks for this information.

Here’s my situation: I’ve got a GA constituent and several GA state legislators who are interested in the LENS system and how it is used to notify state law enforcement. Would it be possible for the Atlanta DHS field office to arrange a briefing for these folks on the LENS system? Senator Perdue would appreciate it very much if DHS could provide some information to these folks.

Please let me know.

Thanks very much,

From: Alford, Uvanney [mailto:Van.J.Alford@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Friday, October 9, 2015 11:09 AM
To: Zoller, Martha (Perdue) <Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov>
Cc: Robinson, Gaines F <Gaines.F.Robinson@ice.dhs.gov>; Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – LENS Briefing

Martha

I have confirmed with Andy Rowe we are working to confirm the ICE official that will provide the briefing. As soon as we have that set we will be in touch to finalize plans for the brief.

State Senator Josh McKoon

D. A. King
Dustin Inman Society

Jessica Vaughn
CIS (is this USCIS?).

Uvanney J. Alford
Office of Congressional Relations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(202) 732-4154

From: Zoller, Martha (Perdue) [mailto:Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2015 10:44 AM
To: Robinson, Gaines F
Subject: FW: LENS

Gaines,
Thank you for your time today.

The call is for Sen. Josh McKoon, D. A. King from the Dustin Inman Society and Jessica Vaughn from CIS.

The times suggested are below.

Thank you,
Martha
770 503 6738

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2015 4:14 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Cc: Zoller, Martha (Perdue) <Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: LENS

Thank you.

Andrew Rowe
Office of Congressional Relations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Desk: 202-732-5344
IPhone: 202-246-2227

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2015 4:12:56 PM
To: Rowe, Andrew J
Cc: Zoller, Martha (Perdue)
Subject: RE: LENS

Martha – can you take it from here? Andrew, cced here is Martha Zoller, Sen. Perdue’s state director. Martha has been the point of contact with our constituents and can prove their contact information to you.

Andrew – thanks for your prompt response.

David

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2015 4:10 PM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Cc: Zoller, Martha (Perdue) <Martha_Zoller@perdue.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: LENS

I’ll go with that. Can you tell me our audience so I can get this set?

Andrew Rowe
Office of Congressional Relations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Desk: 202-732-5344
IPhone: 202-246-2227

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2015 4:01:48 PM
To: Rowe, Andrew J
Cc: Zoller, Martha (Perdue)
Subject: RE: LENS

Hi Andrew, can we arrange the call for 10/14 at 11am or 10/15 at 1pm? Let me know.

Thanks, David

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 10:38 AM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: LENS

A call sounds good. Do you want to pass on contacts? Would your office join a call?

Andrew Rowe
Office of Congressional Relations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Desk: 202-732-5344
IPhone: 202-246-2227

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 10:24:29 AM
To: Rowe, Andrew J
Subject: RE: LENS

Sure, however you want to handle it. My guys are in Atlanta, but maybe they could do a video conference or conference call with your LENS briefers?

From: Rowe, Andrew J [mailto:Andrew.J.Rowe@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 10:23 AM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: LENS

David – our best briefers are at ICE ERO headquarters because the program is pretty new. Can we connect our briefers with your local officials and smoothly hand this off to them for discussion? Does that work for you?

Andrew Rowe
Office of Congressional Relations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Desk: 202-732-5344
IPhone: 202-246-2227

From: Velazquez, Ricardo L
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 4:59:13 PM
To: Rowe, Andrew J
Subject: FW: LENS

Please follow up. Thanks

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) [mailto:David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 1:08 PM
To: Velazquez, Ricardo L
Subject: RE: LENS

Hi Ricardo – following up on my request from last week. Thanks, David Rybicki

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep)
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 9:07 AM
To: ‘Velazquez, Ricardo L’ <Ricardo.L.Velazquez@ice.dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: LENS

Ricardo – Andrew Rowe got back to me and told me that LENS is operational in GA. Thanks for this information.

Here’s my situation: I’ve got a GA constituent and several GA state legislators who are interested in the LENS system and how it is used to notify state law enforcement. Would it be possible for the Atlanta DHS field office to arrange a briefing for these folks on the LENS system? Senator Perdue would appreciate it very much if DHS could provide some information to these folks.

Please let me know.

Thanks very much,
David
202-224-0925

From: Velazquez, Ricardo L [mailto:Ricardo.L.Velazquez@ice.dhs.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 11:28 AM
To: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) <David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: LENS

Got it.

Ricardo L. Velazquez
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Office of Congressional Relations
(202) 732-4156

From: Rybicki, David (Judiciary-Rep) [mailto:David_Rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov]
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2015 4:33 PM
To: Velazquez, Ricardo L
Subject: LENS

Hello Ricardo: I have a question about the LENS system which I hope you can help me with. Do you have any idea when LENS will be up and running in Georgia? It’s my understanding that it is currently operational in certain states, e.g., Arizona.

Thanks very much for your assistance,
David

David Rybicki
Chief Counsel, Senator David Perdue (R-GA)
Senate Judiciary Committee
224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 224-0925
david_rybicki@judiciary-rep.senate.gov

sample-lens-message-3     <—   The attachment to this email is a power point image, linked here.

Readers write

Friday, March 4, 2016

Hispanics want enforcement too

Senate Bill 6 will replace the drivers license currently being issued to illegal immigrants who have deferred action on deportation with a card that clearly notes their illegal status. I am relieved to see it has passed the state senate. However, when I read the final comments blurted out by Republican Senator Tommie Williams in the AJC – “Think about it. Why are we doing this? We are doing this because there are those in the hall that do not like brown people. “- I feel disappointment and dismay.

I am a proud American who happens to be a bilingual Hispanic and who supports immigration enforcement. This brown person cannot help but wonder what Williams thinks about the brave Border Patrol Agents who risk their lives on our borders. About half of them are Hispanic. Williams race-baiting and smearing is so disgusting. Comments like these are usually made void of tact and when tired and hungry.

(It should be noted that Sen Williams made it clear to the senate that he wants to protect the illegal immigrant sous chef in his restaurant. Not very appetizing to me.)

Maria Silvia Montoya
Marietta

 

Georgia Senate passes measure aimed at immigrants without legal status

Feb. 29, 2016 by Jeremy Redmon / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia would create special driver’s licenses and ID cards that more clearly identify immigrants without legal status under controversial legislation the Republican-controlled Senate approved on a 37-17 vote Monday.

The “driving safety cards” and “special identification cards” would be issued to immigrants who have received temporary deportation deferrals and would carry the label: “No lawful status.” The Georgia driver’s licenses and ID cards now issued to deferred action recipients say “limited-term.” As of May of last year, 3,468 of them have been issued.

Georgia now issues “limited-term” driver’s licenses to immigrants who have received temporary deportation deferrals.

The sponsor of Senate Bill 6 — Republican Sen. Joshua McKoon of Columbus — said the measure would help prevent voter fraud and terrorism.

Georgia now issues “limited-term” driver’s licenses to illegal aliens who have received temporary deportation deferrals. It is the same license given to aliens with legal, temporary visas, like Mercedes and Kia executives.

“We have very little in the way of identity verification for people that are receiving these licenses and who have no lawful status,” McKoon told the Senate moments before the vote. “So you can easily see a situation where someone who wants to do harm — who wants to, for example, pursue a terrorist act of some kind — using a limited-term Georgia driver’s license to access a secure government facility and then carrying out an attack.”

Under questioning from Democratic state Sen. Lester Jackson of Savannah, McKoon couldn’t identify any instances where people with deferred action committed voter fraud or acts of terrorism in Georgia. Opponents also argued the measure would “stigmatize” people, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money and damage the state’s economy.

“Think about it. Why are we doing this?” Republican state Sen. Tommie Williams of Lyons told the Senate before voting against the bill. “We are doing this because there are those in the hall that do not like brown people. I wish that weren’t so.”    HERE