August 8, 2018
BY ELECTRONIC MAIL
National Freedom of Information Officer
U.S. Department of Defense
Department of the Air Force
SAF/AAII (FOIA)
1000 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1000
usaf.pentagon.saf-cio-a6.mbx.affoia@mail.mil
Re:

Request for Information Regarding Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Air Force Bases

Dear FOIA Officer:
On behalf of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas (Alianza), GreenLatinos, Hispanic
Federation (HF), the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the National
Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), and Southwest Environmental Center (SWEC),
Earthjustice hereby requests information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5
U.S.C. § 552, and the pertinent U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) regulations, 32 C.F.R. Parts
285, 286. This is a request for expedited processing pursuant to 32 C.F.R. § 286.8 and 28
C.F.R. § 16.5(d)(1)(iv).
Due to the extremely time-sensitive nature of this request, we are not requesting a fee
waiver at this time, although we believe we are entitled to such a waiver pursuant to 5 U.S.C. §
552(a)(4)(A)(iii) and 32 C.F.R. § 286.12(l). We request that you produce documents as soon as
possible and notify us if the fee exceeds $500.00.
I.

RECORDS REQUESTED

This FOIA request seeks multiple records concerning toxic waste sites at Fort Bliss and
Goodfellow Air Force Bases, where the Trump Administration will soon be constructing tent
shelters for the purpose of holding thousands of immigrant children and families. These waste
sites have the potential to cause dangerous human exposure to toxic chemicals via air, water and
soil to migrants housed in tent encampments and to workers constructing the detention camps.
Because the Trump Administration plans to construct and house immigrant children and families
on a greatly expedited schedule, timely receipt of the following information is required to inform
the public of potential adverse impacts and to ensure the safety of those detained and those
constructing the encampments.

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A.

Documents concerning the Fort Bliss Air Force Base

1. This FOIA request seeks the following documents pertaining to the eight areas under
investigation described in the Fort Bliss Restoration Advisory Board document, available at
https://www.bliss.army.mil/dpw/Environmental/documents/2016%20RAB%20%20Presentations.pdf. Please provide “draft” and “final” copies of all requested documents:
a. Snake Pit Site: Please provide all data, data analysis, reports, radiation surveys,
subsurface investigations, findings, decision documents, recommendations, remedial
action plans, and documentation of remedial action for the “Snake Pit Site,” which was
an Operational Storage Site location for nuclear weapons, comprised of approximately
189 acres at the former U.S. Biggs Army Air Field. Investigators found 10 areas that may
exceed action levels for radioactivity at the site.
b. Fort Bliss Former Maneuver Area A (Site ID FTBLS-002-R-01): Please provide
the 2014 Remedial Investigation Report, 2015 Feasibility Study, Proposed Plan
completed in 2016, and the Decision Document pertaining to the Fort Bliss Former
Maneuver Area A and the surface clearance and subsurface removal of munitions and
explosives occurring in Area A. This former munitions response area (MRA)
encompasses 72,520 acres. This area was used for military training from 1939 to the
1970s. Discrete locations within this MRA are suspected to contain unexploded
ordnances, discarded military munitions, high explosives, bombs, and munitions
constituents.
c. Biggs Open Burn (OB)/Open Detonation (OD) Site I ((Site ID FTBLS-006-R-01):
Please provide the Remedial Investigation (RI) completed to evaluate the nature and
extent of munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) and potential munitions
constituents (MC) in soil; the Feasibility Study (FS) based on the RI, any decision
documents arising from the RI and FS, including Remedial Design (RD) report and any
remedial action documentation based on activities conducted pursuant to the decision
documents. Biggs OB/OD Site I is a 40-acre area filled with mounds of several types of
detonated/burned munitions, as well as unknown buried waste in trenches and detonation
pits. This unknown debris is suspected to contain munitions and explosives of concern
(MEC) or materials presenting potential explosive hazard (MMPEH), large amounts of
munitions debris (MD) and other debris scattered across the surface of the site. In
addition to the debris, soil contamination by OB/OD may include release of carcinogens
(DNT, RDX, TNT), developmental neurotoxicants (lead, arsenic, mercury), endocrine
disrupters (dioxins, PAHs, perchlorate), particle pollutants, respiratory irritants (sulphur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides), and toxic metals (cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper, barium,
lead).
d. Biggs Open Burn Site II (Site ID FTBLS-006-R-02): Please provide the Site
Inspection (SI) completed to evaluate the presence of MEC and MC, data or surveys
associated with MEC and MC investigations, “Phase II” activities report, Remedial
Investigation (RI), Feasibility Study (FS), decision documents relating to the SI, RI and
FS, including Remedial Design (RD) report, and any documentation of remedial actions
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taken. Open Burn Site II is a 14-acre area containing unknown burned debris potentially
containing munitions and trenches with unknown buried waste.
e. Far East Illegal Dump Sites (Site ID CCFTBL-001): Please provide the Preliminary
Assessment performed in 2014, soil sampling and analysis fieldwork performed in 2017,
Remedial Investigation (RI), Feasibility Study (FS), decision documents relating to the
Preliminary Assessment, RI and FS, including Remedial Design (RD) report, and any
documentation of remedial actions taken. The Far East Illegal Dump Sites comprise a
2.24-acre area that served as an illegal dumping site for medical waste, lead acid
batteries, electronic components, tires, burned materials, asbestos, and petroleum. Testing
has shown levels of pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and metals above the Texas
protective levels.
f. Oro Grande Landfill (Site ID FTBL-014): Please provide the closure report, decision
documents, including Remedial Design (RD) report, and any documentation of remedial
action taken at the landfill. Past investigations at the Oro Grande Landfill found that the
landfill is composed of buried waste material including wood, plastic, paper, scrap metal,
and demolition debris.
g. Closed Castner Firing Range ((Site ID FTBLS-004-R-01): Please provide the Phase
II Analytical Results, Remedial Investigation (RI) to determine the nature and extent of
MEC and MC, Minutes of the Castner Range Public Meeting held after completion of the
draft RI report, Feasibility Study, decision documents including development of cleanup
alternatives, and any documentation of remedial actions taken, including munitions
removal and/or remediation. The Castner Firing Range consists of 8,325 acres that were
heavily used as a small arms, range and artillery firing and impact area from 1926-1966.
The RI investigated extent of munitions, munitions debris, unexploded ordinances, soil,
subsurface, surface water, and groundwater contamination at the site.
h. Area of Interest North of Castner Range (Site ID FTBLS-007-R-01): Please
provide the Final Project Management Plan (PMP), Draft Explosives Site Plan (ESP),
Historical Records Report (HRR); Community Relations Plan (CRP), Preliminary
Assessment, Site Inspection, Minutes of Public Meeting(s); Remedial Investigation,
Feasibility Study, Proposed Plan, Decision Documents, Remedial Design, and
documentation of Remedial Action. This site comprises 4,909 acres where evidence of
munitions debris including high explosive munitions were discovered.
2. Please provide any additional Preliminary Assessments, Site Investigations, and
Remedial Investigations of areas known or suspected of being impacted by MC or MEC at Fort
Bliss, which are not specifically named above.
3. Please provide any records of phone calls and other documents regarding Fort Bliss’
24-hour call center that was created for those who believe they may have been exposed to
contaminated materials.

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4. We request that you provide any maps or plans indicating the location at Fort Bliss of
the migrant detention camp, including residential tents that are scheduled for construction. The
maps or plans should clearly indicate the location of the camp on the base.
5. We request that you provide data regarding the testing of environmental media at and
surrounding the proposed housing area. Please provide results from all testing of soil, subsurface
conditions, groundwater, surface water and air for hazardous substances, including, but not
limited to radiation, gases, fuel, munitions debris, and munitions constituents, which has been
conducted in and around the area where the temporary tent housing will be constructed. The
results of testing shall include environmental media on and below the footprint of the proposed
housing area and the area within a quarter-mile radius from the construction footprint.
6. Please provide the Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment
completed for the proposed construction of temporary housing for immigrant children and
families at Fort Bliss AFB.
B.

Documents concerning the Goodfellow Air Force Base

1. Southeast Landfill (LF-02): Please provide records pertaining to the remediation of
the 37-acre Southeast Landfill, a closed but uncapped landfill which is located directly adjacent
to the planned detention center. Contents of the landfill may include industrial waste and
unknown containerized liquids. Specifically, we request the “Performance-Based Remediation
(PBR) at Texas Bases,” dated May 2018 and any other documents relating to final closure,
groundwater monitoring, potential vapor intrusion, landfill gas production and release, and
characterization of the soil cover and remaining wastes.
2. Former Small Arms Range/Outdoor Firing Range (AOC-13): Please provide the
final technical memorandum (May 2008) relating to the remediation of the former small arms
range/outdoor firing range (AOC-13), which was discovered to be contaminated with elevated
concentrations of lead, arsenic, antimony, zinc and copper. Please provide the most recent soil
sampling results for the above-named metals and any other constituents that exceeded safe levels
for residential soil.
3. PFOS and PFOA Exposure: Please provide all records discussing or concerning the
results of the investigations of “Known or Suspected Release of PFOS or PFOA” at Goodfellow
Air Force Base, as referenced on page 4 of Appendix C to the Aqueous Film Forming Foam
Report to Congress, dated October 2017, cleared for publication November 3, 2017 (the
“Report”). The Report is located at https://www.denix.osd.mil/derp/home/documents/aqueousfilm-forming-foam-report-to-congress/.
4. Data regarding testing of environmental media at and surrounding the proposed
housing area: Please provide results from all testing of soil, subsurface conditions, groundwater,
surface water and air for hazardous substances, including, but not limited to radiation, gases,
fuel, munitions debris, and munitions constituents, which has been conducted in and around the
area where the temporary tent housing will be constructed. The results of testing shall include

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environmental media on and below the footprint of the proposed housing area and the area
within a quarter-mile radius from the construction footprint.
C.

Requests Concerning both Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Air Force Bases

1. Supply all reports or findings related to environmental hazards or concerns that pertain
to the site of the proposed migrant detention centers at Fort Bliss and Goodfellow bases.
2. Provide any information related to testing that has been conducted for health and
environmental hazards that uniquely impact women and children on the premises that have been
identified for the Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Migrant Detention Centers.
3. Provide any documentation, reports or other information related to the type of
dwellings that will be constructed on the proposed Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Migrant Detention
Centers.
4. Provide all documentation related to the expected or actual date of occupancy of the
Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Migrant Detention Centers, the number of expected occupants
(including numbers of adults and minors), and the number of single and family dwellings.
5. Provide any documentation related to the last date that documents have been purged or
destroyed as related to environmental reports or hazards on the Fort Bliss and Goodfellow bases,
the type of documents, a description of the documents and the individual(s) responsible for
requesting the destruction or purge of said documents.
6. Provide any information related to the number of workers who will be employed in the
construction of the migrant detention camps at Fort Bliss and Goodfellow, the type of workers,
the length of time for which they will be employed and any job descriptions related to their
role/function to build the detention camp.
Finally, this request seeks the U.S. Navy draft or final planning memorandum that
identifies the specific DOD facilities at which migrant detention centers may be constructed
pursuant to the President’s 2018 “zero-tolerance” policy. The document requested is referenced
here: http://time.com/5319334/navy-detainment-centers-zerol-tolerance-immigration-familyseparation-policy and https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2018/06/21/
pentagon-asked-to-make-room-for-20000-migrant-children-on-military-bases/. This request
seeks any and all memorandums regarding the migrant detention centers on any DOD facilities.
We define “records” to include all data, analyses, studies, articles, correspondence
(including emails, telephone messages, text messages, and internet “chat” or social media
messages), memoranda, reports, notes, notices, meeting notes, calendars, telephone logs,
telefaxes, photographs, videos, maps, diagrams and other records, whether paper or electronic.
This request applies to any records within, or exchanged between, the following DOD offices:
the U.S. Air Force Safety Center, the Public Health Command, the Army Environmental
Command, and any other divisions that have been involved in the investigation of contamination
at Fort Bliss.
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In the event that any requested document is claimed exempt from disclosure, please
identify each allegedly exempt record in writing, provide a brief description of that record, and
explain the agency’s justification for withholding it. If a document contains both exempt and
non-exempt information, please provide those portions of the document that are not exempted
from disclosure. Finally, if a document does not exist, please indicate that in your written
response.
We remind you that we have requested expedited processing of this FOIA request.
Pursuant to 32 C.F.R. § 286.8(e)(1), DOD must make an expedited processing determination
within 10 calendar days after receipt of this request. If DOD grants expedited processing, the
request must be processed as soon as practicable. We ask that you disclose the requested
information as it becomes available to you without waiting until all of the records have been
assembled. To the extent responsive records are available in an electronic format, we would
prefer to receive electronic versions of the records in native-file format.
II.

REQUESTERS
The following groups request the above-described information and documents:
A.

Alianza Nacional de Campesinas

Alianza Nacional de Campesinas is a national farmworker women’s organization that
was founded in 2011 to address and advance the rights more than 700,000 farmworker women in
the United States through its national coalition. Alianza’s members include groups and
individuals that are located in El Paso, Texas, an area that will be directly impacted by the
proposed migrant detention center at Fort Bliss Army base. Since it was founded in 2011,
Alianza has called for the fair treatment of immigrant women and children, including refugees
and asylees, improved immigration protections and more expedient processing of immigration
petitions for those seeking relief.
Alianza has a specific interest in this matter, as many of the women and children who are
fleeing their home countries come from rural communities in Latin America, much like the rural
communities from which Alianza’s members migrated to the U.S. They have fled their countries
of origin to escape gender-based violence, risk of gang violence, natural disasters and other
factors that make it impossible for them to continue to live in their countries of origin. Alianza
also has deep concern for individuals living along the U.S.-Mexico border who have been
impacted by US immigration policy, as well as those living in rural communities. Its members
have extensive experience living in these communities and working on both environmental
issues and immigration advocacy at the local level.
As a part of its immigration advocacy efforts, Alianza has been part of a broad coalition
that has advocated closing family detention centers, and it has raised concerns about violence
against immigrant women and children in immigration detention. Most recently, it has called on
the United States to respect the rights afforded to refugee and asylum seekers as provided under

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US immigration law, and it has repeatedly raised its concerns about the safety of the immigrant
children who have been separated from their parents under Trump’s zero tolerance policy.
Alianza seeks information through this FOIA request to better understand the
government’s analysis of any potential environmental and health hazards that might exist on the
premises where these camps are expected to be constructed, particularly as it relates to women’s
reproductive health, neurological impacts and other potential health consequences. In addition,
Alianza seeks information about any analysis or known information related to emerging
environmental hazards or risks to the communities surrounding the migrant detention camp
location.
Alianza is a non-profit, social good organization. Alianza intends to share the information
that it obtains through this request to educate farmworker women and other community
members. Alianza will disseminate this information through its social media platforms and direct
educational efforts with its members across the US, including some members living in and
around Fort Bliss who could be directly impacted by the construction of these camps, as well as
to its media contacts and through mass distribution using its mailing list, among other efforts.
B.

GreenLatinos

GreenLatinos is a national nonprofit organization that convenes a broad coalition of
Latino leaders committed to addressing national, regional and local environmental, natural
resources and conservation issues that significantly affect the health and welfare of the Latino
community in the United States. GreenLatinos seeks to provide an inclusive table at which its
members establish collaborative partnerships and networks to improve the environment; protect
and promote conservation of land and other natural resources; amplify the voices of minority,
low-income and tribal communities; and train, mentor, and promote the current and future
generations of Latino environmental leaders for the benefit of the Latino community and beyond.
GreenLatinos believes that Latino communities, regardless of immigration status, and all
those residing in the United States should live in environmentally healthy, just, and vibrant
communities, with access to clean air, clean water, and public lands in which to connect
spiritually, culturally, and recreate within. Recent media investigations and reporting have shown
that those being held in immigration detention centers are being exposed to conditions that
grossly violate human rights and environmental standards. GreenLatinos is concerned about the
siting of detention centers on or near military bases that are EPA-designated Superfund sites,
have violated the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
historically, and in multiple cases have exposed those who reside or work on bases to toxic
chemicals and polluted water that have resulted in health issues including cancer, asthma, lung
disease and much more. Given the Trump Administration’s proposal to use federal military
bases, such as the Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Air Force Bases, as additional sites for immigration
detention, GreenLatinos is interested in ensuring a proper and transparent environmental
investigation and analysis is done to ensure the health and safety of detainees.
GreenLatinos has demonstrated ability and the clear intent to timely disseminate
information received from this FOIA request to a broad audience of persons interested in the
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subject – including its members, national and local ally organizations who have significant
memberships and constituencies interested in this issue, and members of the media who regularly
cover immigrant detention. In addition, GreenLatinos has the ability and intent to share the
information we obtain to the public by means of email, website posts, social media posts, and inperson communication including at the organization’s National Summit.
C.

Hispanic Federation

Founded in 1990, Hispanic Federation is one of the nation’s leading Latino nonprofit
membership organizations with 100-plus member organizations. Through headquarters in New
York, and offices in Washington D.C., Connecticut, Florida, and Puerto Rico, and a program
footprint in 20 states with significant Latino and immigrant populations, HF works to support
Hispanic and immigrant families and strengthen Latino institutions in the areas of education,
health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and the environment. Federal
immigration law and policy continues to be a top priority for the Latino community. HF believes
our immigration, asylum, and environmental policies must respect the dignity of the individual,
end the criminalization of Hispanic immigrants and asylum-seekers, and most of all, reflect our
nation’s commitment to human and civil rights. Those rights include the right to live free from
environmental contaminants that are harmful to health and well-being.
HF has worked for years using both legislative and grassroots advocacy to support
passage of immigration policies that are humane and that provide solutions to fix our broken
immigration system. As co-chair of both the Energy and Environment and Immigration
Committees of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a broad coalition of 46 national Latino
organizations, HF has been a leading Latino voice in rapid response efforts regarding antiimmigrant legislation as well as legislation that causes environmental harm. HF has been present
at every major mobilization in support of Dreamers in Washington, D.C., and, most recently,
participated in protests at the El Tornillo Detention Center in El Paso, Texas.
Hispanic Federation is one of the co-founders of a large and diverse intersectional
coalition of environmental, civil rights, wildlife, faith, and border community and immigration
groups leading opposition to the president’s quest to increase funding for a wasteful border wall
that would divide communities and wreak environmental havoc. That opposition includes
funding for an increase in immigration detention beds.
Hispanic Federation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to protect and promote the
public interest especially as it relates to immigrant and Latino communities. HF has extensive
outlets for public education and information dissemination and intends to make any information
received available to its constituents, and to the broader public, as widely as possible, and at no
charge. HF intends to use its mailing lists, social media platforms, website, and broad network of
member organizations, political colleagues and press to disseminate information it receives.

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D.

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement is the leading national organization
for Latino(a) workers and their families. LCLAA was born in 1972 out of the need to educate,
organize and mobilize Latinos in the labor movement and has expanded its influence to organize
Latinos in an effort to impact workers' rights and their influence in the political process. LCLAA
represents the interest of more than 2 million Latino workers in the American Federation of
Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the Change to Win Federation,
Independent Unions and all its membership.
LCLAA has been committed to family reunification and to defending immigrant rights
for a long time. The organization has organized and participated in a number of events aimed at
condemning this administration’s treatment of immigrants. Among them, LCLAA led a rally in
support of immigrant families as part of the Families Belong Together day of action. LCLAA
also joined the protest and rally at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tornillo, TX to demand immediate
family reunification for those immigrant families that have been separated by the Trump
administration’s unjust immigration policies. LCLAA’s chapters all over the nation also
mobilized to oppose these policies.
LCLAA is a non-profit organization, and our involvement in this FOIA request falls
within the mission of LCLAA, to defend and work for immigrant and working family rights.
LCLAA plans to disseminate this information for free through its 52 chapters in 23 states, thus
further helping to inform the public across the country about this crucial issue. LCLAA will also
circulate this information through its social media platforms, and will reach out to national and
international media outlets.
E.

National Hispanic Medical Association

The National Hispanic Medical Association works to improve the health of Hispanics
though advocacy, leadership development and educational activities. The mission of the National
Hispanic Medical Association is to empower Hispanic physicians to lead efforts to improve the
health of Hispanic and other underserved populations.
The National Hispanic Medical Association believes that the science and evidence are
clear that the area that is being planned for this detention center is not healthy or safe for anyone
to live in for any extended amounts of time, and it is especially dangerous to the health and
livelihood of children who will be placed in this facility.
The National Hispanic Medical Association has been involved in advocacy concerning
immigration policy and the direct health implications of these policies for families that are
housed in government-funded detention centers. The Association has called on Congress to fix
these issues and treat families that are currently detained with the dignity they deserve.
The National Hispanic Medical Association has the ability and intends to share
information obtained from this FOIA request to our social media networks and to our networks
via email and our monthly newsletter.
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F.

Southwest Environmental Center

The Southwest Environmental Center is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated
to the protection and restoration of native wildlife and their habitats in the Southwest. SWEC has
more than 10,000 members and online activists. SWEC is headquartered in Las Cruces, New
Mexico. SWEC’s members and staff live in or regularly visit the U.S.-Mexico borderlands
region in New Mexico and Texas. SWEC’s members and staff regularly use the myriad federal,
state, and local protected lands along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico and Texas for
hiking, camping, viewing and studying wildlife, photography, hunting, horseback riding, and
other scientific, vocational, and recreational activities. SWEC has a long history of advocacy
within the borderlands region.
SWEC’s interest in this issue relates to its advocacy against border militarization and for
the protection of human rights and the environment of the Southwest. In recent years, SWEC has
become increasingly concerned about how militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border affects the
environment of the Southwest. The impetus for SWEC’s involvement with this issue was the
construction of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. SWEC has taken a leading role in
organizing protests against the wall, and has partnered closely with human rights and
immigration groups in this fight. Together with Border Network for Human Rights, SWEC filed
a lawsuit earlier this year to block the Family Detention Policy.
SWEC intends to disseminate any information it receives from this request promptly to
the public at large via social media. In addition, SWEC intends to draw attention to this
information at public events, in letters to the editor, and through other means during the course of
its advocacy. SWEC will also share any information it receives with local government officials
in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.
III.

JUSTIFICATION FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING

We request that you process this request on an expedited basis pursuant to 32
C.F.R.§ 286.8(e). The above six public interest groups demonstrate a compelling need for the
requested documents. First, the requesters urgently need the information to inform their members
and the public about imminent government plans to house thousands of immigrant families and
unaccompanied minors at Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Air Force Bases. See id. §
286.8(e)(1)(i)(B). Recent news reports indicated that DOD is preparing to house approximately
20,000 migrants at the two bases and that construction of tent encampments is to begin shortly
and be completed within 45 days. See http://time.com/5324490/zero-tolerance-detention-centersmilitary/. See also https://wamu.org/story/18/06/28/military-bases-to-start-building-tents-afterjuly-4-to-house-migrant-families/. DOD has been asked by the Department of Homeland
Security to identify available land at southwestern bases and to construct “soft-sided camp
facilities” capable of holding thousands of migrants. Id. Precise location of all the camps has not
been reported. Local reports indicate that construction has not yet begun but may begin in the
very immediate future.

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The absence of specific information regarding the detention centers deprives the public of
their right to know and understand the U.S. Government’s actions and policies regarding
immigrant families. Serious harm has occurred and is currently occurring as a result of the
Trump Administration’s Zero Tolerance Policy, pursuant to which immigrants, including minors,
are detained in shelters and children were separated from their families. Consequently, the U.S.
Government’s ill treatment of migrants is an issue of utmost concern to millions of Americans.
Failure to provide records on an expedited basis deprives the public of crucial knowledge
concerning this rapidly evolving situation on the Southern border and new and grave threats to
the health of immigrant children and families detained there.
The requesters are groups that have been engaged for decades in defending the rights of
immigrants. As described above, the requesting groups regularly disseminate information
concerning the activities and policies of the U.S. Government relating to treatment of immigrants
and U.S. immigration policy, and this is a primary professional activity for these organizations.
The requesting groups are therefore uniquely well informed on these issues and well positioned
to disseminate the critical information sought in this request.
Second, we request expedited processing because the failure to obtain the requested
records on an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the
lives or physical safety of adults and children housed in the temporary shelters at the Fort Bliss
and Goodfellow bases. See 32 C.F.R. § 286.8(e)(1)(i)(A). As described above, Fort Bliss has
numerous areas where past military operations have contaminated soil, and potentially water and
air, with multiple sources and types of hazards and hazardous waste, including radioactive
materials, unexploded ordnances, heavy metals, PCBs, asbestos, petroleum, pesticides, and
volatile organic compounds. These hazardous chemicals can cause cancer, neurological damage
and injury to major human organs. DOD is currently investigating these areas pursuant to the
requirements of the federal Superfund program, but the contaminated and unsafe areas have not
yet been remediated. In fact, the extent of the threat has not yet been clearly delineated, and it is
clear that some areas of the Fort Bliss AFB would pose a substantial and imminent threat to life
or physical safety of those housed in tents in and near the contaminated and impacted areas.
At Goodfellow Air Force Base, the area planned for construction of the tent camp is
immediately adjacent to a closed, but uncapped landfill and directly on top of a former military
firing range. The extent to which the uncapped landfill may pose serious health hazards to
construction workers and detainees is not known. Potential routes of exposure to harmful
chemicals include vapor intrusion, landfill gas venting, contaminated groundwater and surface
water, and airborne debris. It not known whether the firing range, which has undergone
remediation, may still contain elevated heavy metals in the soil above federal safe levels, which
could pose ingestion and inhalation dangers to residents, workers and particularly children.
In addition, water contamination by a group of toxic chemicals known as poly- and
perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, may be present on the Goodfellow and Fort Bliss bases. The
military used PFAS-based foams to fight fires as part of military training exercises. PFAS have
been linked to health problems including an increased risk of liver, kidney, and thyroid disease,
certain types of cancers, infertility in women, and developmental problems in fetuses and infants.
Children are particularly vulnerable to PFAS chemicals, which can decrease the body’s ability to
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produce disease-fighting antibodies after vaccination. Holding children on bases where drinking
water is contaminated by toxic compounds would present an imminent threat to their health.
Third, we request expedited processing because the failure to obtain the requested
information could reasonably be expected to harm substantial humanitarian interests. See 32
C.F.R. § 286.8(e)(1)(ii)(B). The safe, just, humane, lawful, and transparent treatment of those
seeking residence in the United States is imperative to the protection of human rights. The rushed
construction of temporary structures near or even on top of unremedied toxic waste sites would
be a gross violation of such humanitarian interests. The housing of children and adults in or near
unsafe and contaminated areas could occur due to lack of adequate planning and the total
absence of transparency in the process. The resulting exposure to toxic chemicals, radioactivity
and/or explosives would clearly harm substantial humanitarian interests. The documents
requested will provide information regarding the location of tent shelters, the location of unsafe
and contaminated areas, and the safety of drinking water on the bases. This information is
essential to protecting the health and safety of thousands of detainees, as well as workers
constructing the detention camps. Failure to obtain the requested information will harm these
substantial humanitarian interests.
The requestors certify that the reasons for the expedited processing request are true and
correct. We look forward to hearing your response to this request within ten days.
If you have questions regarding this request, please contact Lisa Evans at (781) 631-4119
and levans@earthjustice.org or Melissa Legge at (212) 823-4978 and mlegge@earthjustice.org.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,

Lisa Evans
Senior Counsel
Earthjustice
1617 JFK Blvd., Ste. 1130
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Melissa Legge, Esq.
Earthjustice
48 Wall Street, 19th Fl.
New York, NY 10005

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