The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked controversy after granting one of its staffers, 19-year-old Edward Coristine, also known as "Big Balls," access to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) sensitive data. According to an internal agency memo obtained by FedScoop, Coristine, along with three other DOGE staffers, has been given permission to comb through USCIS's "data lake," a cloud-based repository of data containing information on an untold number of immigrants.

The memo, dated March 28, requests direction from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the four DOGE staffers' access to the USCIS Data Business Intelligence Services, which is accessed through the analytics platform Databricks. The memo also seeks guidance on their access to Github, a web-based platform for version control and collaboration. However, the memo fails to provide a clear explanation for why DOGE needs to access USCIS systems.

According to sources, USCIS's data lake contains databases, including the Electronic Immigration System and the Central Index System, which hold information on refugees, asylum seekers, green card holders seeking US citizenship, naturalized US citizens, and individuals with temporary legal statuses like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This raises concerns about data privacy and potential misuse, particularly given DOGE's ties to Elon Musk, who has a history of promoting conspiracy theories surrounding immigration.

Musk has been vocal about his beliefs on immigration, claiming that Democrats have facilitated mass migration and widespread voter fraud to steal elections. In a recent episode of the All-In podcast, DOGE staffer Antonio Gracias claimed that 1.3 million undocumented immigrants were on Medicaid and that "thousands" of undocumented people across the country were registered to vote. These statements have sparked fears that DOGE may be seeking to access USCIS data to further their own political agenda.

The implications of DOGE's access to USCIS data are far-reaching and potentially devastating. With access to sensitive information on immigrants, DOGE could potentially use this data to target specific groups or individuals, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and fueling xenophobic rhetoric. Furthermore, the lack of transparency surrounding DOGE's intentions and the potential misuse of this data raises serious concerns about government accountability and oversight.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how DOGE will utilize their access to USCIS data and what measures will be taken to ensure the privacy and security of sensitive information. One thing is clear, however: the granting of access to DOGE staffer "Big Balls" and his colleagues has sparked a firestorm of controversy, and the tech community will be watching closely for developments.