Hacktivist Collective 'Department of Peace' Releases Data on More Than 41,000 U.S. Immigration Workers

The hacktivist group that identifies itself as the Department of Peace released a collection of personal records for over 41,000 employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The data set—containing names, positions, workplace locations and contact details of immigration officers and their support staff—was posted to a publicly accessible file‑sharing site earlier this week, drawing swift reporting from outlets like BBC Technology.

The disclosed documents cover numerous DHS divisions, ranging from Customs and Border Protection agents at ports of entry to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers responsible for investigations and removals. Although the specific makeup of the files differs, analysts note that they provide sufficient information to pinpoint individual workers, their departmental roles and, in certain instances, direct phone numbers or email addresses.

Cybersecurity experts say the group posted the information unencrypted, meaning anyone possessing the link could retrieve the full collection. Analysts who have reviewed the material observe that the files seem to have been taken from internal HR and personnel systems, indicating a penetration of the agency’s back‑office infrastructure rather than a breach of operational field databases.

The disclosure comes as worries persist over the protection of government employee records. Earlier events, like the 2020 Office of Personnel Management breach, underscored how federal staff data can be vulnerable to outside actors. For immigration officials—whose positions frequently draw public attention and sometimes make them subjects of harassment—the release of personal information intensifies safety and privacy worries.

DHS representatives said an internal probe has been launched and measures are being taken to gauge the breach’s extent. A spokesperson stressed that, so far, there is no indication the leaked data has been employed to enable threats or unlawful acts, yet the department is cooperating with the Department of Justice and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to pinpoint the breach’s origin and bolster security measures.

Specialists caution that the release may affect recruitment and morale across immigration enforcement bodies. The exposure of personal information could discourage potential applicants and may encourage individuals or groups aiming to intimidate employees. Legal academics point out that the Department of Peace might confront federal charges if the leak is tied to unlawful entry into protected government systems, whereas civil‑rights advocates contend the episode highlights the necessity for tighter data‑privacy protections throughout all federal agencies.