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Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys and ally of Donald Trump, will turn the pursuit of immigrants into a digital business through an app that rewards users for reporting individuals without documents.
The Cuban-American announced the launch of ICERAID. It is a web application that uses artificial intelligence to analyze the photographs and data uploaded by users. It will be usable in the United States to report undocumented immigrants. Those who do so will receive rewards in a digital currency called $RAID.
In a message on his X account, Tarrio celebrated his appointment as the "Czar" of this platform, where he promises payments to those who collaborate to "make America safe again."
Juicy rewards for reporting immigrants
The website assures that "the more images and locations you upload and validate, the more $RAID you will earn." The financial incentive is enhanced through weekly contests and participation bonuses. Experts have described the strategy as a form of citizen surveillance dangerously reminiscent of historical models of repression.
ICERAID presents itself as a tool against crime and irregular immigration, but the logic of its operation has sparked strong criticism from human rights organizations and community leaders.
The application allows users to upload photos of individuals suspected of being in irregular immigration situations or committing crimes such as drug trafficking or "obstruction of deportations." Everything is recorded on a public map with color codes that geolocate the reports.
The company behind the project clarifies that privacy laws may vary by state, but it provides an "informational guide" and disclaims any legal responsibility.
In parallel, the Department of Homeland Security of the United States released an image this week with a war propaganda aesthetic, where Uncle Sam urges the population to "report all foreign invaders."
The timing of this publication alongside the app's launch suggests a coordinated effort or, at the very least, an ideological affinity between government actors and private platforms like ICERAID.
A very controversial Cuban-American
Enrique Tarrio was convicted of conspiracy for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. However, he received a pardon from Donald Trump earlier this year.
Now, with the image of the victim of the "system" and as a supposed defender of American values, he is regaining prominence with a proposal that many deem dangerous.
Organizations defending immigrant rights fear that the application may serve as a tool for intimidation and retaliation in workplace or neighborhood settings. Previous experiences indicate that the anonymous reporting system has already been used to settle personal disputes or eliminate business competition in the United States.
One step closer to the privatization of persecution
ICERAID was conceived as an independent endeavor, non-governmental, but it is an extreme expression of how hate speech can translate into concrete technological mechanisms in service of the current administration's immigration policy.
Tarrio grew up in Little Havana in Miami and was the director of Latinos for Trump, now continuing his activism through technology, pushing an agenda that fosters fear, surveillance, and distrust in the United States.
The legalization of harassment, legitimized with financial incentives and a patriotic discourse, sets a dangerous precedent for migrant communities in the country. ICERAID turns immigrant hunting into a business.
Frequently asked questions about the ICERAID application and Enrique Tarrio
What is the ICERAID application and how does it work?
ICERAID is a web application launched by Enrique Tarrio that rewards users with cryptocurrencies for reporting undocumented immigrants. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze photographs and data uploaded by users. Reports are recorded on a public map that geolocates the reported locations.
Who is Enrique Tarrio and what is his relationship with the Proud Boys?
Enrique Tarrio is a Cuban-American who was the leader of the far-right group Proud Boys. He has been a close ally of Donald Trump and was convicted for his role in the 2021 Capitol riot, although he later received a presidential pardon. Tarrio has been a controversial figure and has been involved in various political and legal activities.
What are the criticisms and controversies surrounding ICERAID?
ICERAID has been criticized by human rights organizations and community leaders for promoting a form of citizen surveillance that could be used to intimidate or retaliate in workplace or neighborhood contexts. There are concerns that the application could legalize harassment through financial incentives and patriotic rhetoric, setting a dangerous precedent for migrant communities in the United States.
How has the ICERAID application been related to the United States government?
Although ICERAID maintains that it has no official connection with the federal government, the timing of the app's launch alongside publications from the Department of Homeland Security suggests a possible ideological affinity. This has raised concerns about the coordination between government actors and private platforms to target undocumented immigrants.
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