USA
'Illegal immigrants' list leaks private data
A list of 1,300 Utah residents described as illegal immigrants has sown fear among some Hispanics and prompted an investigation into its origins and dissemination.
Each page of the list is headed with the words "Illegal Immigrants," and each entry contains details about the individuals listed -- from their address and telephone number to their date of birth and, in the case of pregnant women, their due dates. The letter was received by law enforcement and media outlets Monday and Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Gary R. Herbert said Wednesday that an investigation was under way to see if state employees might have been involved in releasing the private information.
A memorandum accompanying the list said it was from Concerned Citizens of the United States. It urged immediate deportation proceedings against the people listed, as well as publication of their names by the news media. The memo said an earlier version of the list had been sent to federal immigration officials in April. It promised that more names would be forthcoming and promised authorities, "We will be listening and watching."
"We are not violent, nor do we support violence," the letter said.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement confirmed that the agency had received a letter from the group, dated in early April.
The list came at a time of increased tension over illegal immigration. Several people on the list expressed anxiety that their personal information had been released and said they were concerned about their safety. Some of those on the list said they were worried enough that they would seek to leave the country.
A spokesman for the Department of Workforce Services, Dave Lewis, said a team of information specialists was looking for patterns -- whether the computer formatting would provide clues about the document's origin or creation and whether there had been any unusual activity in people accessing that information inside the agency.
(Published by Herald Tribune – July 15, 2010)