Leaked memo reveals US veterans affairs officials vetting non-citizen workers

Exclusive: Compilation of data to be shared with appropriate agencies' prompts fears of immigration crackdown

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the process of creating an urgent and massive new internal database of non-US citizens who are employed or affiliated" with the government department, a sensitive memo leaked to the Guardian has revealed - prompting alarm within the sprawling agency over a potential immigration crackdown.

A VA spokesperson confirmed to the Guardian that the department would share some of the data it is now gathering with other federal agencies, including for immigration enforcement purposes.