A European activist has triggered bipartisan concern in Washington after using artificial intelligence to identify masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Dominick Skinner, a Dutch immigration activist, claims to have unmasked over 200 agents through a project called the “ICE List,” using AI-generated facial reconstructions and reverse image searches.
Skinner’s AI tools reportedly require only 35% of an officer’s face to produce a match. These reconstructed faces are then cross-referenced with social media profiles and online databases. Although he admits the technology has a roughly 40% accuracy rate, Skinner says a group of volunteers further verifies each match before posting names, photos, and links online. He argues the project promotes transparency, not harassment, and insists that only names—not addresses—are shared.
ICE officials and Homeland Security have condemned the project. ICE spokesperson Tanya Roman said agents wear masks for safety, not secrecy, and warned that efforts like the ICE List place lives at risk. Federal agencies have called the project a form of doxxing, accusing Skinner of weaponizing AI to target law enforcement personnel.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) responded by introducing the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act, which would criminalize the publication of a federal officer’s name when done to obstruct law enforcement activity. Blackburn stated that Skinner’s actions highlight the urgent need for legal protections as AI becomes more sophisticated and accessible.
Democrats have offered mixed reactions. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), co-sponsor of the VISIBLE Act, which calls for visible officer ID during operations, voiced privacy concerns about both government and civilian uses of facial recognition.
Despite legal and ethical concerns, Skinner’s project remains lawful under current U.S. statutes. Privacy experts warn that outdated surveillance laws leave gaps that allow both sides to exploit powerful AI tools. As the technology evolves, lawmakers face mounting pressure to establish boundaries that protect both transparency and the safety of public servants.
