A recent investigation by Borderless Magazine https://borderlessmag.org/2024/11/21/favorite-healthcare-chicago-migrant-data-mishandled-shelter-system/ and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity reveals alarming mishandling of sensitive data within Chicago’s migrant shelter system, allegedly putting tens of thousands of asylum seekers at risk. Two former case managers, Anna P. Vizcarra and an anonymous whistleblower (“Sam”), filed a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) accusing Favorite Healthcare Staffing, the contractor managing the shelters, of violating health information privacy laws.

The complaint details practices such as allowing staff to access and download migrants’ personal data onto unencrypted personal devices and sharing sensitive information through insecure channels like WhatsApp. Unauthorized access to sensitive information persisted even after employees left their positions, leading to potential misuse, including phishing scams, extortion attempts, and identity fraud targeting migrants.

The investigation also uncovers systemic oversight failures, inadequate response to complaints, and questionable security protocols compared to stricter federal shelter standards in other states. Despite criticism of its $362 million contract with Favorite, Chicago recently extended the agreement by $100 million. However, most of the city’s migrant shelters, run by Favorite, are slated for closure by year-end. The report underscores the urgent need for better data protection and oversight in systems developed to assist vulnerable populations.