The project started in response to a warning from US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who threatened legal action against Americans publicly identifying ICE agents. Skinner, based in the Netherlands, said the site now operates as a crowdsourced wiki, verifying information from sources such as social media profiles, professional networking sites, and public records. While photos, names, and positions are published, private addresses and phone numbers are excluded.
Since its launch, ICE List has identified more than 1,500 agents. Skinner insists the project is in the public interest, aiming to foster accountability without encouraging violence, drawing parallels with historical public exposure of KKK members in 1920s Chicago.
The initiative comes amid growing debate in the US over ICE agents’ use of masks and anonymity, with Senate Democrats demanding measures such as body cameras and proper identification for federal officers. Skinner criticized claims by the Department of Homeland Security that agents face heightened personal danger, suggesting that their main concern is public scrutiny and community exclusion.
ICE List highlights tensions between government enforcement policies and public demand for transparency, illustrating the power of digital activism to challenge secrecy in law enforcement operations.
