Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons: Find Primary Sources Online: National Security : Primary Sources

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What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?

"Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions which protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement." -- U.S. Dept. of Justice, FOIA.gov website.

Freedom of Information Act Search Engine

FOIA Search Engine
Allows users to search for FOIA documents across all federal government agencies.

National Security Primary Sources Online: FOIA Documents

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) FOIA Electronic Reading Room
Central Intelligence Agency documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) FOIA Electronic Reading Room
The DIA provides assessments of foreign military organizations. Scroll down to find documents arranged by topic.
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) FOIA Vault
MuckRock
This non-profit encourages researchers, reporters, and citizens to request, analyze, and share government documents.
National Security Agency (NSA): Declassified Documents Index
The NSA provides cryptological, signal intelligence, and computer network security intelligence. This is a list of declassified documents that have been released to the National Archives.
National Security Archive Virtual Reading Room
This engine searches the growing collection of primary-source documents the National Security Archive has published on this web site.
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security FOIA Library
U.S. Department of State Virtual Reading Room
The State Department carries out the foreign policies of the President and advises him on foreign affairs.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) FOIA
The DEA is the leading law enforcement agency tasked with combating the illegal distribution of narcotics in the United States.