Fact check: No $750 reward for using ICE tip line to report 'illegal immigrants' in US
The claim: ICE is offering $750 reward for reporting 'illegal immigrants' through tip line
A Jan. 20 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) claims U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, is offering money for reporting people who are living in the country illegally.
"BREAKING: ICE is allegedly offering $750 per illegal immigrant that you turn in through their tip form," reads text within the post. "You can call the ICE hotline at 866-DHS-2-ICE – 866-347-2423."
The post garnered more than 8,000 likes in three days. Other versions of the claim were shared on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Our rating: False
Though ICE has an online tip form and phone number for anonymously reporting suspected criminal activity, the agency said it doesn't offer rewards for aiding in immigration enforcement.
No $750 reward for reporting 'illegal immigrants'
Illegal immigration was a major focus of President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, and he promised to carry out "mass deportation" after taking office. Among the many executive orders he issued during the first day of his second term were a declaration of emergency at the southern border and a call to the military to assist in securing it.But the claim that ICE is offering $750 to those who report "illegal immigrants" is false.
An ICE spokesperson told USA TODAY, "ICE does not offer rewards for tips in support of civil immigration enforcement objectives."The agency has a tip form on its website as well as a phone number – which matches the one given in the post – to report criminal activity. Illegal immigration is listed among the examples of crimes that can be reported.
Web pages for the online tip form and phone number don't mention a $750 reward, but the online tip page states: "Although there is absolutely no guarantee that tip information provided will result in monetary payments, ICE has the discretion and statutory authorization to pay for information and/or evidence that is used in support of criminal investigations."
Fact check: There is no program that pays $4,000 to 'each illegal'
Similar false claims have circulated in the past on stickers and flyers in communities, according to news reports from Seattle PI in 2016 and ABC News in 2018.
USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.