Hacked Data May Reveal Truth About ICE Flights

A newly leaked trove of flight manifests is casting doubt on the Biden administration’s assertions regarding controversial deportation flights to El Salvador, and has prompted a sharp rebuke from the hacktivist group Anonymous. The documents, obtained by 404 Media and shared with other journalists, detail passenger lists and flight records for three GlobalX flights to El Salvador on March 15th – flights that were the subject of a legal dispute.

At issue is whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) complied with a court order issued by Judge Boasberg, which stipulated that individuals with final orders of removal should be the only passengers on the flights. The government initially claimed it lacked information about the flights, even as they proceeded to El Salvador despite the order to return.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow with the American Immigration Council, expressed surprise at the leak on X (formerly Twitter), stating the manifests “could confirm whether ICE is telling the truth” about the composition of the third flight.

According to 404 Media’s reporting by Joseph Cox and Jason Koebler, the data was provided unsolicited by a hacker group claiming affiliation with Anonymous. The group left a message on the GlobalX website, directly addressing former President Trump and accusing the administration of ignoring lawful orders.

The leaked data covers flight information from January 19th through May 1st. 404 Media is currently verifying the information against official sources, confirming details like the presence of Kilmar Abrego Garcia on one of the flights. The publication has stated it will not immediately release the full passenger list, prioritizing privacy concerns and the need to confirm deportation status.

This leak is significant not just for the potential legal ramifications – potentially proving a disregard for court orders – but also for the broader implications regarding transparency surrounding ICE deportations. The agency has frequently faced criticism for a lack of openness regarding its operations. While the source of the leak – a hacktivist group – is unconventional, the information could prove crucial in holding the government accountable and ensuring due process in immigration proceedings. The situation highlights the increasing tension between government secrecy, the public’s right to know, and the role of independent journalism in uncovering potentially problematic practices.