New York Civil Liberties Union v. Dept. of Homeland Security
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24436
| S.D.N.Y. | 2011Background
- Plaintiff NYCLU sought FOIA documents related to LMSI surveillance cameras in Lower Manhattan funded by DHS.
- DHS and agencies produced documents; 18 documents remained partially redacted at issue.
- Redactions target five information categories: camera/reader locations, equipment types, LMSI timeline/guidelines, number of assets, and assets protected.
- Defendant argues redactions fall under FOIA exemptions 7(E) and, for some, 5.
- Plaintiff asserts public disclosures exist and would negate need for exemptions; defendant contends specific details remain sensitive.
- Court grants partial summary judgment for 7(E) redactions and declines in-camera review for most items.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether 7(E) justifies the redactions | Public-domain information renders redactions unnecessary. | Redacted details reveal law enforcement techniques and vulnerabilities. | Yes; 7(E) supports the redactions. |
| Whether 5 applies to the intra-agency memo | Memorandum is not predecisional. | Memorandum is predecisional and deliberative. | Yes; 5 applies; memo deemed predecisional. |
| Whether in camera review is warranted | Court should review unredacted documents in camera. | Public affidavits suffice; no need for further review. | Unwarranted; in camera review unnecessary. |
Key Cases Cited
- Wilner v. Nat'l Sec. Agency, 592 F.3d 60 (2d Cir. 2009) (agency affidavits can sustain exemptions on summary judgment)
- Minier v. CIA, 88 F.3d 799 (9th Cir. 1996) (detailed exemptions justify nondisclosure if plausible)
- NLRB v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 421 U.S. 132 (U.S. 1975) (exemption 5 deliberative process predecisionality clarified)
- Grand Cent. P'ship, Inc. v. Cuomo, 166 F.3d 473 (2d Cir. 1999) (predecisional and deliberative requirements for exemption 5)
- Lamont v. Dep't of Justice, 475 F. Supp. 2d 114 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (public-domain and coincidence with exemptions; evidentiary standard)