5.1—General provisions.
(a)
(1)
This subpart A contains the rules that the Department of Homeland Security (Department) follows in processing requests for records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552 ). These rules should be read together with the FOIA, which provides additional information about access to records maintained by the Department. Requests made by individuals for records about themselves under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a ), which are processed under subpart B of this part, are processed under this subpart also. Information routinely provided to the public as part of a regular Department activity (for example, press releases issued by the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs may be provided to the public without following this subpart).
(2)
The provisions established by this subpart shall apply to all Department components that are transferred to the Department. Except to the extent a Department component has adopted separate guidance under FOIA, the provisions of this subpart shall apply to each component of the Department. Departmental components may issue their own guidance under this subpart pursuant to approval by the Department.
(b)
As used in this subpart, component means each separate bureau, office, board, division, commission, service, or administration of the Department.