Homeland Security hides

9/11 hijacker documents

A freedom of information advocate has demanded anonymity, on grounds of not wishing to be associated with Newz from Limbo, long after the following material was published. Google honored his request to block the post without FIRST consulting this journalist. The original material appeared on a public journalism site with his byline, but with no copyright claim. That material has been rewritten in accord with journalistic norms.

More than 10 years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security is still concealing important documents regarding one of the purported hijackers, according to data published on an Investigative Reporters and Editors site.

The U.S. immigration service, which falls under Homeland Security. admits to having documents on the alleged chief hijacker, Mohamed Atta, but refuses to let the public see them on grounds that to do so would interfere with an investigation -- even though the 9/11 commission closed its doors several years ago.

The source of this information, a freedom of information act advocate with a law degree, said in his communication that Homeland Security seems to be evading a presidential order on freedom of information act requests that provide for a presumption of openness.

The freedom of information advocate who demands anonymity says the following records are under wraps:

# A copy of Mohamed Atta's change of status application from a B-2

visitor visa to an M visa for foreign student pilots in 2000 or 2001.

# Copies of Atta's immigration service forms I-94, I-130,

I-131, I-129, I-539, including any I-20 forms noting

transfer of a B-2/B-1 visa.

# Copies of any applications Mohamed Atta filed for schools.

# Copies of passports issued to Atta, including a copy of applications for

the Conch Republic Passport.