More than 41,000 people working for the US Department of Homeland Security had their details published online, including thousands tied to immigration enforcement, BBC News reported. The dataset includes names, work addresses, phone numbers, and job descriptions for personnel across Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), among other DHS units.
What was posted
BBC technology reporter Kali Hays wrote that the leak also lists “dozens” of previously unknown operation names, the agents who led or worked on them, and some tools used in those operations, including tech provided by “Cellbrite” and Palantir. BBC described the breach as “seemingly unprecedented.” The database was published under the name “Icepick.”
According to the BBC’s review of the data, more than 21,000 listed personnel work for CBP and nearly 6,600 for ICE. Other records reference Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Protective Service, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Who put it online
BBC reported that a group calling itself the Department of Peace accessed the DHS information, while journalist and cybersecurity researcher maia crimew and the website Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets) published it.
Emma Best, a DDoSecrets co-founder, said the release aimed to replace “anonymity with accountability.” Best added: “The leak is extraordinary but deceptive in its simplicity as it identifies the officials responsible for overseeing covert and undercover operations, the government’s hunt for leakers and the failed BlueLeaks investigation – along with key personnel in DHS’s ever-escalating rendition and deportation programs.”
How hackers say they got in
The Department of Peace said it accessed DHS agent profiles via an Okta single sign-on service, per the BBC. Okta, a widely used access-management provider, told the BBC it is aware of the claims but stated: “Okta is secure, and we have no evidence our data or systems were compromised.”
DHS response
BBC quoted a DHS spokesperson saying the agency is “aware of a potential breach and is actively working to address the situation swiftly and effectively.” The spokesperson added: “We take all security threats against our employees and officers seriously and will work to ensure all are properly protected. We will update the public when more information is available.”
Context: rising attacks and rising tension
BBC noted this is the third government-targeted leak or hack in recent weeks, following an FBI breach claimed by ShinyHunters and a suspected attack that took the Federal Election Commission offline.
In its broader context, the BBC reported growing backlash to US immigration enforcement amid a surge in arrests and deportations under President Donald Trump’s second term. Citing the Migration Policy Institute, the BBC reported nearly one million deportations since 2025, with more than 70% involving people with no criminal record. The BBC also reported multiple violent immigration operations this year, stating ICE agents shot at more than two dozen people and killed at least nine, including Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota; both were reportedly not the targets of the arrests.
A political flashpoint
The Department of Peace tied its action to rhetoric from DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, with a spokesperson writing, “On July 17th, Markwayne Mullin said he was ‘turning up the heat’. This is what happens to ICE when you do that,” per the BBC’s account.
Rally Is Life note: This article relies on BBC reporting and direct statements cited therein. We are not linking to leaked personal data.
