A hacktivist collective identifying as “Department of Peace” claims to have breached the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), resulting in the public leak of sensitive internal documents. The data, released this Sunday by the transparency organization DDoSecrets, exposes thousands of contracts between the DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and over 6,000 private sector companies.
The Scope of the DHS Data Breach
The leaked files reportedly originate from the DHS Office of Industry Partnership, the department responsible for procuring technology from private entities. The exposed information includes names of contractors, specific award amounts, and sensitive contact details, such as direct email addresses and phone numbers of industry representatives.
Among the companies identified in the leaked contracts are major defense contractors like Raytheon, L3Harris, and Anduril, alongside tech giants Microsoft and Oracle. Surveillance software provider Palantir also appears in the documents, highlighting the deep integration of private technology within federal immigration operations.
Motivations Behind the Cyberattack
In a manifesto released alongside the data, the “Department of Peace” cited the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good—two protesters killed by federal agents in Minneapolis—as primary drivers for the hack. The attackers stated their goal is to reveal the private entities supporting DHS operations, which they claim are responsible for inhumane conditions in detention facilities and aggressive mass deportation campaigns.
Key Financial Findings
Security researcher Micah Lee has organized the leaked data into a searchable database, revealing significant financial allocations:
- Cyber Apex Solutions: Awarded $70 million for security infrastructure services.
- SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation): Received $59 million for government-focused AI services.
- Underwriters Laboratories: Secured $29 million for testing, certification, and market intelligence.
Current Status of the Investigation
Neither the DHS nor ICE has issued a formal response regarding the security breach. Similarly, representatives from Cyber Apex Solutions, SAIC, and Underwriters Laboratories remained silent when approached for comment. The incident underscores growing concerns regarding the transparency of government partnerships with private surveillance and defense firms, particularly those facilitating controversial immigration enforcement policies widely criticized for inhumane conditions.