As civil unrest persists in Minneapolis triggered by the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, a surge of misinformation has emerged concerning Enrique Tarrio, formerly the leader of the Proud Boys. On various social media platforms, users have mistakenly asserted that Tarrio is currently affiliated with ICE, a federal agency he has never served. This false narrative coincides with broader societal tensions and has caused confusion amid ongoing protests.
Enrique Tarrio is widely known for his leadership role in the Proud Boys and was notably involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, for which he received a 22-year prison sentence. This length was the harshest judgment meted out in relation to the events of that day, reflecting the severity of his actions. Tarrio's conviction pertained to a coordinated scheme aimed at maintaining Donald Trump's hold on office following the 2020 presidential election. Subsequently, former President Donald Trump granted him a sweeping pardon that extended clemency to over 1,500 individuals charged for involvement in the January 6 incident.
Amid the viral claims stating Tarrio's association with ICE, some accounts cited allegedly leaked ICE personnel lists as proof. However, these assertions have been unequivocally dismissed by official sources. Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson – the department overseeing ICE – stated plainly that Enrique Tarrio has never been employed by ICE in any capacity.
"This individual was never hired by ICE," McLaughlin stressed, further highlighting the agency's stringent recruitment standards, which prioritize applicants who embody patriotism, lawful conduct, community dedication, integrity, and moral judgement necessary to safeguard the nation effectively.
The accusations circulating online were met with responses from Tarrio himself. On social media platform X, Tarrio acknowledged his inclusion on a list that had been spreading, initially expressing a satirical sentiment about the matter. In subsequent posts, he clarified that he is not connected with ICE and expressed a tongue-in-cheek wish that he were. Despite this, numerous social media users persist in falsely labeling him an ICE officer.
For instance, one widely shared post on X described Tarrio as a "Proud Boy Leader / Convicted Felon" affiliated with ICE and bearing extremist epithets, drawing significant engagement. The confusion is partly attributable to a purported leak, as reported, from a DHS whistleblower, which exposed information related to approximately 4,500 ICE and Border Patrol employees. This data was uploaded to an independent website known as ICE List, which compiles federal immigration enforcement information.
Within this database, Tarrio does appear, but not as an ICE employee. Instead, his role is categorized as "Propagandist; Agitator," reflecting his public persona rather than any law enforcement position. This distinction further debunks the myths regarding his supposed federal employment.
Given the heightened societal tensions around immigration enforcement and related protests, the dissemination of such inaccuracies can contribute to misunderstanding public perceptions of federal agencies and individuals involved. It is crucial to rely on verified information from authoritative sources to navigate these complex issues.
This clarification addresses the falsehood that Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys and convicted participant in the January 6 Capitol incident, currently serves or has ever served as an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Both agency representatives and Tarrio himself confirm no such affiliation exists, countering misinformation spreading amid ongoing protests in Minneapolis.