In a significant security breach, the personal details of approximately 4,500 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents have been leaked online. The incident, which represents the largest-ever breach of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) staff data, follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
Whistleblower Source and Website Details
According to a report, the identities of the federal agents were shared with the activist website ICE List by a whistleblower within the Department of Homeland Security. The website, which claims to catalogue the identities of ICE agents, collaborators, and leadership, is run by Dominick Skinner and is hosted in the Netherlands, beyond the reach of US authorities.
Skinner told The Daily Beast that the shooting of Renee Good was "the last straw for many people" and indicated unhappiness within the US government. The leaked dataset includes information on around 2,000 agents and 150 supervisors. Early analysis by the volunteer-led group suggests about 80 per cent of those named are still employed by the DHS.
Content and Scale of the Leaked Database
The ICE List website functions as an online library where users can contribute. It contains pictures, descriptions, and previous employment history for listed individuals, with data broken down by US state. Beyond agent details, the site also hosts information on incidents, including deportations and deaths in custody.
Prior to this alleged leak, the ICE List held details on roughly 2,000 immigration staff. With the new data, the database now contains information on approximately 6,500 people. High-profile names listed include Fox News host Jesse Watters, activist Laura Loomer, and DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who is labelled an "ICE propagandist."
Political Fallout and Security Concerns
The leak has ignited fierce debate and heightened security fears. In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin warned that publicising agents' identities "puts their lives and the lives of their families at serious risk." She defended DHS officers as being on the frontlines against serious criminals but said they face constant threats from violent agitators.
The incident occurs amidst nationwide protests over the killing of Renee Good, who was shot three times through her car windshield by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Former President Donald Trump claimed the agent acted in self-defence, while a new poll found more than half of Republicans believed the shooting was justified.
Skinner stated that individual reports about DHS personnel from the public have "spiked" since the shooting. He said ICE List intends to release most verified names from the leak, arguing that "ICE and CBP are in clear need of reform." Exceptions may be made for those in roles like childcare or nursing within the agencies. The Independent has contacted the DHS for comment regarding the alleged breach.
