A remarkable and mysterious story has emerged in the United States, drawing increasing public attention and raising questions about the security of personal data of citizens and migrants
The story concerns the fact that government agencies, including a subdivision led by Elon Musk — the Department of National Efficiency (DOGE), allegedly gained exclusive access to one of the most confidential US databases — the ECAS system, which contains personal information of millions of immigrants, both legal and illegal. The public and experts have already begun expressing deep concerns about the possible consequences of such a situation. The initial source of information was the reputable American newspaper The Washington Post, which reported that DOGE — an entity directly headed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk — received official authorization to access the US Department of Justice's restricted database. Sources within the publication revealed that, according to internal reports, at least six advisors from DOGE, working within the Department of Justice, obtained official permission last Friday to connect to the ECAS system. However, representatives of the department officially declined to comment on the situation, citing the need for confidentiality and the obligation not to disclose details of internal procedures. So, what is the ECAS system? According to official information from the US Department of Justice, this electronic system is a key tool for maintaining a comprehensive record of immigration cases. It contains detailed entries about immigrants, including their names, addresses, interaction histories with immigration authorities, testimonial records, and contacts with law enforcement agencies. It functions as a kind of digital archive storing all documents and data related to immigration status and procedures. Experts say this database is supposed to be strictly confidential and accessible only to authorized personnel, such as immigrants themselves or their lawyers acting on behalf of clients. The problem is that gaining such access without proper permissions and procedures by any governmental or private entity may violate fundamental rights to privacy and data protection. Particularly alarming is the possibility that access to ECAS is being used without following legal norms and procedures by DOGE. There are now initial reports that some department employees, despite everything, may have received official approval from higher management to work with this sensitive information. However, the official position of the Department of Justice remains neutral — representatives refused to confirm or deny whether they were indeed permitted to work with ECAS or for what purpose. This heightened attention to the situation is driven not only by potential violations of privacy but also by political and legal considerations. Experts already point out that such access resembles a disregard for privacy principles enshrined in US legislation. After all, the ECAS system was created to protect immigrants’ personal data, and its use without their knowledge or in violation of confidentiality norms could have serious consequences for individuals’ rights. Additionally, it is worth recalling that as far back as February of this year, DOGE had already gained access to the US Department of Treasury’s payment system, which processes over five trillion dollars annually. Consequently, the increasing activity of this agency raises growing concerns and suspicions regarding its role in the security and control systems. Numerous questions remain unanswered: why was such broad intrusion into immigrants’ data necessary? Who exactly and on what grounds authorized access to ECAS? Most importantly, what goals does DOGE pursue in this activity? Legal experts emphasize that any actions infringing on citizens’ privacy must be strictly regulated and compliant with current legislation. Yet, without concrete explanations from official authorities, suspicions only deepen. In general, the situation with the potential access to the ECAS system serves as yet another reminder of the urgent need to strengthen oversight of human rights and privacy protections in the United States. Considering past precedents and the growing role of private corporations in the security sphere, trust in government institutions suddenly becomes especially relevant. The UN and human rights organizations are already calling for transparency and accountability, while activists urge investigations to determine the true motives and scope of DOGE’s activities in this context. Ultimately, the risk to the reputation of the US government and the safe future of millions of immigrants, whose data may be compromised, depends on transparency and responsibility.