Fact Check: Is Proud Boys founder Enrique Tarrio an ICE agent?

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Claims have been circulating online that Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right group, Proud Boys, is now serving as an agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking widespread attention and debate on social media and news platforms. Let us fact-check the origins and authenticity of these claims.

Claim: Enrique Tarrio is serving with ICE

Enrique Tarrio, the former national chair of the far-right organization, Proud Boys, was rumored to be serving as an agent of ICE. The report surfaced after a major database leak of ICE and DHS, following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. 

In response to the leaks, Tarrio shared a post on X, suggesting "what a joy would it be to target the nannies and lawn workers of liberals." The post was run by NBC's Telemundo as news, sparking more attention on the issue.

Fact Check: Enrique Tarrio's post is a satire

In a later X post, Tarrio clarified that it was 'obviously satire,' and now, speaking to Newsweek, he said he could consider 'legal options' against Telemundo.

"If I'm suing the United States of America, it's very easy for me to sue media outlets that decided to publish this," he said.

ICE has not confirmed any connection between Tarrio and the agency, and analysts quickly pointed out inconsistencies in the viral screenshot, such as Tarrio’s name appearing out of alphabetical order, suggesting it was fabricated.

He appeared to joke about joining the ICE and claimed that he had faced 'death threats' since the list started going viral.

"A brothah needs those 50k. And what a joy would it be to target the nannies and lawn workers of liberals," he wrote. "You want to really get deportations going? Hire the F****** ProudBoys."

"On a serious note: I have received a heavy influx of death threats since these retards decided to post this. It’s their goal to spread disinfo so the IDIOTS that believe this take action."

Tarrio has confirmed that he has previously worked as an FBI informant in an operation against a Mexican drug trafficking ring.

Major database leak of ICE and DHS

The claims surfaced after the fatal shooting of activist Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis and a subsequent real breach of an ICE-related database. 

The leak exposed personal details of roughly 4,500 employees from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the US Border Patrol.

That data was later circulated via a website known as ICE List, which publishes personal information of immigration enforcement personnel.