Fact Check: Tarrio claims the app will incentivize citizens to assist ICE with deportations.

Fact Check: "Tarrio claims the app will incentivize citizens to assist ICE with deportations."

What We Know

Enrique Tarrio, a controversial figure and former leader of the Proud Boys, has launched an app named ICERAID that rewards users for reporting undocumented immigrants. According to reports, the app allows users to upload photographs and data of individuals suspected of being undocumented, and in return, users can earn cryptocurrency rewards called $RAID. The app's promotional material states that "the more images and locations you upload and validate, the more $RAID you will earn," which has raised concerns about incentivizing citizen surveillance and fostering distrust within communities (CiberCuba, Latin Times).

The app has been described as a tool that could assist ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) by enabling users to report undocumented immigrants, thus directly linking it to deportation efforts (MSN, Yahoo News). Critics, including human rights organizations, have expressed alarm over the potential for the app to encourage vigilantism and harassment, as it could be used to settle personal disputes or target individuals based on bias (CiberCuba).

Analysis

The claim that Tarrio's app incentivizes citizens to assist ICE with deportations is substantiated by multiple sources. The app's design explicitly rewards users for reporting undocumented immigrants, which aligns with ICE's mission to enforce immigration laws. The financial incentives provided through cryptocurrency rewards create a direct motivation for users to engage in reporting activities that could lead to deportations (CiberCuba, Latin Times).

The credibility of the sources reporting on this issue is generally strong, as they include established news outlets and specialized platforms that focus on immigration and human rights issues. However, it is important to note that the framing of the app as a "dangerous" tool by critics may reflect a bias against Tarrio's political background and the controversial nature of his previous activities. Nevertheless, the fundamental facts regarding the app's functionality and its implications for ICE's operations remain consistent across various reports (MSN, Yahoo News).

Conclusion

The claim that "Tarrio claims the app will incentivize citizens to assist ICE with deportations" is True. The evidence clearly indicates that the ICERAID app is designed to reward users for reporting undocumented immigrants, which aligns with the operational goals of ICE. The financial incentives provided by the app further reinforce this connection, raising significant ethical concerns regarding the potential for increased surveillance and community distrust.

Fact Check: Tarrio claims the app will incentivize citizens to assist ICE with deportations.