Back
Democracy Forward Investigates Government Use of Artificial Intelligence to Rewrite Rules, Monitor Employees, and Target Visa Holders - Democracy Forward
webdemocracyforward.org·democracyforward.org/updates/foia-ai-lawsuit/
This press release documents a lawsuit against U.S. federal agencies for withholding records about government use of generative AI to surveil employees, target visa holders, and repeal regulations—raising accountability and transparency concerns directly relevant to AI governance and deployment oversight.
Metadata
Importance: 42/100press releasenews
Summary
Democracy Forward filed a FOIA lawsuit against HUD and the State Department for withholding records about the Trump-Vance administration's use of generative AI in federal policy execution. The lawsuit seeks transparency on AI tools used to surveil visa holders' social media, identify federal workers for termination, and propose mass regulatory repeals. Previously obtained records revealed the VA is using AI to flag guidance documents misaligned with the administration's agenda, with minimal AI expertise or safeguards in place.
Key Points
- •FOIA lawsuit filed against HUD and State Department for failing to disclose records on government use of generative AI in federal policy.
- •AI reportedly used to flag visa holders based on social media posts, identify federal workers for termination, and propose regulatory repeals.
- •VA records confirm AI is being used to identify guidance documents for repeal based on political alignment, with little transparency.
- •VA's chief AI Officer admitted the agency has very few AI experts despite rapidly deploying AI tools.
- •Case highlights lack of public accountability and oversight mechanisms for government AI deployment affecting millions of people.
1 FactBase fact citing this source
Cached Content Preview
HTTP 200Fetched Apr 7, 20265 KB
Democracy Forward Investigates Government Use of Artificial Intelligence to Rewrite Rules, Monitor Employees, and Target Visa Holders - Democracy Forward
Press Release
Democracy Forward Investigates Government Use of Artificial Intelligence to Rewrite Rules, Monitor Employees, and Target Visa Holders
Date
June 27, 2025
Issue Area
Freedom of Information Act
Immigration
Privacy & Technology
Media Contact
[email protected]
Administration is Violating Public’s Right to Know How AI is Being Used to Make Decisions that Affect Millions of Lives and Livelihoods
Washington, D.C. — Today, Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of State for unlawfully withholding public records related to the Trump-Vance administration’s use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out major federal policies.
The lawsuit follows multiple unanswered Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking documents that would shed light on how AI is being used to eliminate government jobs, surveil employees and visa holders, and rewrite or repeal federal regulations.
“Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are being used to make sweeping decisions across government, including targeting workers and rewriting our laws—but the American people are being kept in the dark,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “Our democracy depends on transparency, and we’re taking action to uncover how this administration is using unchecked tools to push a dangerous political agenda behind closed doors.”
Public reports suggest the Trump-Vance administration is deploying AI tools to execute controversial directives, including using AI to flag visa holders based on their social media posts, identify federal workers for termination, and propose mass regulatory repeals. Despite FOIA requests submitted as early as March 2025, HUD and the State Department have failed to comply with the law and produce any of the requested records.
The lawsuit includes requests for documents related to:
HUD’s use of AI to propose regulatory repeals under the Department of Government Efficiency initiative;
State’s deployment of AI to surveil and potentially penalize international student visa holders for engaging in protests or free expression; and
The use of AI across both agencies to assess federal workers for termination or political alignment.
Today’s request follows the release of records to Democracy Forward that confirm that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is using AI to identify guidance documents to repeal because they are not sufficiently aligned with the Trump-Vance administration’s agenda. The VA has
... (truncated, 5 KB total)Resource ID:
kb-f1e6a5978c4bc62d