Proud Boys Founder Denies ICE Employment Claims Following Data Leak

In a series of exchanges on social media platform X.com, Proud Boys founder Enrique Tarrio has firmly denied claims that he works for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite his name appearing on a controversial leaked list of alleged agency employees.

The confusion began when Tarrio responded sarcastically to a post from user @OMG_WTF_GTFO who shared what they claimed was a leaked list of ICE employees. Tarrio’s initial response, “A list I’m finally happy to be part of….” appeared to suggest confirmation, but was quickly followed by clarification.

In a subsequent detailed post, Tarrio emphatically denied any employment relationship with the federal agency, writing in all capitals, “I FUCKING WISH I WORKED FOR ICE.” He went on to explain that his initial response was sarcastic, while expressing frustration about receiving “a heavy influx of death threats” following the circulation of what he called disinformation.

“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 wrote on his verified account @NobleOne.

The controversy comes amid reports of a significant data breach affecting ICE. According to several news outlets, including the Daily Beast, personal details of thousands of alleged ICE employees were leaked online. While a person named “Enrique Tarrio” does appear on the published list as of January 15, 2026, he is not listed as an employee but rather as a “propagandist” and “agitator,” suggesting political motivations behind his inclusion.

Tarrio criticized media organizations that contacted him about the purported employment without verifying the list’s accuracy. “I’ve also received many media requests from mainstream outlets. They didn’t even bother to look at the names listed. If they did they’d see it’s in order by last names and mine isn’t,” he stated.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States and the polarizing nature of figures associated with groups like the Proud Boys, which has been designated as an extremist organization by some agencies and experts.

Tarrio, who typically goes by his middle name Enrique rather than Henry, has maintained a controversial public profile since founding the Proud Boys. The organization has been at the center of numerous political controversies and was prominently involved in events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot.

This latest incident demonstrates how quickly misinformation can spread on social media platforms and the real-world consequences for those targeted. The circulation of unverified claims about ICE employment could potentially put individuals at risk, as evidenced by the death threats Tarrio claims to have received.

ICE has not yet issued a public statement regarding the alleged data breach or the inclusion of Tarrio’s name on the published list. The agency’s silence on the matter leaves questions unanswered about the authenticity of the leaked information and its potential impact on operations and personnel.

As federal authorities continue to grapple with challenges related to immigration enforcement and border security, incidents like this underscore the highly charged political environment surrounding these issues and the ease with which controversial figures can become entangled in broader national debates.