Security News > 2023 > January > US authorities release asylum seekers after leaking their data online

In brief Nearly 3,000 immigrants seeking asylum in the United States have been released from custody after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials inadvertently published their personal information online.

Now, the Los Angeles Times reports that ICE has promised not to deport anyone affected by the breach until they have an opportunity to raise the issue in immigration court.

Immigration officials said they would also allow some immigrants affected by the incident to seek asylum even if they wouldn't have been eligible otherwise, and won't block efforts to reopen cases of immigrants whose data was disclosed, either.

ICE said more than 100 immigrants whose data was exposed had already been deported by the time the incident was discovered, and a second small group of fewer than 10 people were deported after the leak was discovered but before the immigrants were notified.

ICE said it's working to reach affected deportees to offer a return trip to the US and a chance to reapply for asylum.

"The commitments ICE has made to those impacted will go a significant way toward mitigating the harm done, but only if ICE is diligent and transparent in making good on its promises," Altman said.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/01/23/infosec_news_roundup/