Title 50 › Chapter CHAPTER 44— - NATIONAL SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - PROTECTION OF OPERATIONAL FILES › § 3141
The Director of the CIA, working with the Director of National Intelligence, may keep certain CIA "operational files" out of regular Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) searches and disclosures. Operational files mean three types of records: files from the National Clandestine Service about foreign intelligence or liaison work; files from the Directorate for Science and Technology about how technical collection is done; and Office of Personnel Security files about vetting possible foreign sources. Even if exempt, those files must still be searched or reviewed for records about a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who asks about themselves, for any "special activity" whose existence must be disclosed, and for specific official investigations into wrongdoing by Congress, the Intelligence Oversight Board, the Justice Department, CIA legal or inspector general offices, or the Director of National Intelligence. Files that are not exempt but contain material taken from exempt operational files must be searched. Putting exempt material into non-exempt files does not remove the original exemption. If someone sues claiming the CIA wrongly withheld records, the court may review classified material in secret and will decide facts largely from sworn written statements. The person suing must back claims about improper placement or exemption with a sworn statement. The CIA can defend itself by sworn statements showing the exempt files still serve their listed functions, and the court will not order the CIA to open exempt files unless the plaintiff rebuts that showing with sworn evidence. Normal discovery is mostly barred. If the court finds the CIA failed to follow these rules, it must order the CIA to search the proper exempted files and release any releasable information, and that order is the only remedy. If the CIA agrees to search after a complaint is filed, the court will dismiss the case. The CIA Director and the Director of National Intelligence must review these exemptions at least once every 10 years to see if any can be removed, considering historical value and the chance to declassify material. These exemptions can only be changed by a law passed after October 15, 1984 that specifically says it changes them. A complainant can sue about whether the 10-year review was done before October 15, 1994 or within the latest 10-year cycle, and whether the required criteria were considered.
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War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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Citation
50 U.S.C. § 3141
Title 50 — War and National Defense
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73