The Trump administration in April debuted a new Department of Homeland Security office and database, DHS VINE, dedicated to providing information on the custody status (as well as personal details) of immigrants accused of crime. The database had a bumpy launch, as immigration attorneys soon noticed it listed sensitive information for immigrant babies and toddlers.
That problem was corrected, but The Guardian reports immigration lawyers have identified another major issue: The database lists immigrants who are victims of crimes and have "sought federal protections as survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault." Federal law says these victims' private information is supposed to be kept secret because their abusers could use it to track them down and inflict further harm. The searchable, online database now makes that information available to the public.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Jimmy Carter honored in state funeral, laid to restSpeed Read The state funeral was attended by all living presidents
-
Trump sentenced after Supreme Court rejectionSpeed Read Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in the majority
-
DOJ to release half of Trump special counsel reportSpeed Read The portion regarding Trump's retention of classified documents will not be publicly released
-
Jimmy Carter lies in state as 3-day DC farewell beginsSpeed Read The 39th president died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100
-
Giuliani held in contempt of court over forfeit assetsSpeed Read He has failed to turn over $11 million in assets to two Georgia election workers he defamed after the 2020 election
-
Biden resettles 11 more Guantánamo detaineesSpeed Read In an effort to reduce the number of prisoners held in Guantánamo Bay, Biden transferred 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman
-
Canada's Trudeau announces resignationSpeed Read Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down after nearly a decade in office
-
Biden signs boost to Social Security for public workersSpeed Read The president signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, expanding retirement benefits for millions
