"We aim to preserve evidence to facilitate transparency and accountability. We also intend to unmask those agents who have been alleged to have committed crimes or engaged in other unlawful conduct," Lightfoot said.
Lightfoot, who was once a federal prosecutor, said the ICE Accountability Project, addressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents' actions, has been months in the making thanks to the help of some unnamed donors.
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She's asking for people to upload video and digital evidence to the project's website, reporticenow.com.
There will be two levels of review. A small team of lawyers, former federal agents and trained investigators will work on verifying the incidents. If it all checks out, evidence will be published.
"This site intentionally is not on a U.S.-sponsored platform. So, we don't want the risk of anybody trying to censor information that is posted. It will remain in perpetuity on this website," Lightfoot said.
After watching the federal operation play out, Lightfoot said she had to do something.
Alleged abuse was reported in the Chicago area before Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis.
Video evidence later disputed Department of Homeland Security claims that agents acted in self-defense when using lethal force in the shootings of Marimar Martinez and Silverio Villegas González.
"I could not in consciousness sit and watch what was happening and just feeling frustrated and angry; I needed to do something constructive about it," Lightfoot said. "Our project is focused instead on those federal immigration agents who cross the line, who have violated residents' rights and believe that they are above the law."
Lightfoot's project is similar to one announced by Gov. JB Pritzker a few months ago.
She says both initiatives will work in harmony with each other. Lightfoot expects harsh criticism from the federal government, but she hopes local prosecutors will use the information to hold federal agents accountable.
"I think people should do their jobs, but we are gathering this information in one place, hopefully to facilitate that," Lightfoot said.
While the ICE Accountability Project is focused on the Chicago area, Lightfoot hopes mayors around the country will replicate the idea in their own communities.