Amidst a surge of ICE raids, where countless migrants live in constant fear and clutch their phones in anticipation of warning loved ones, an Idaho bar has found a way to profit from their plight.
The Old State Saloon in Eagle is offering "a month's worth of free beer" to those who assist in identifying and deporting immigrants. This promotion has been slammed on social media as "depraved," "inhumane," and a "direct provocation" against the suffering of countless families.
Initially shared on X, the offer promises unlimited beer to anyone who provides photos, videos, or information leading to a detention. If multiple deportations result from the tip-off, the reward could be extended even further.
While this bar revels in the hunt, in New Orleans, 200 federal agents are gearing up for a massive operation. In New York, 15 demonstrators were arrested over the weekend for attempting to block an ICE convoy. Amid this tension, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed that "they will not stop" and "will not allow this to continue," intensifying the atmosphere of persecution.
Many on social media have condemned the bar's campaign for trivializing the trauma of families fleeing dictatorships, economic crises, or violence. "Turning a human being's deportation into a game with a prize crosses a moral line," one user wrote, while others likened the proposal to the informant practices of oppressive regimes.
The Department of Homeland Security expressed shock at the announcement, but the bar responded by urging, "deport them all," fueling rhetoric that has further ignited outrage.
At least one person has already claimed the promotion, as confirmed by the establishment itself. A user on X even suggested creating a "leaderboard" to crown the "Deporter of the Year," a gesture many see as a chilling sign of how persecution is becoming normalized.
This offer comes as the White House announced a halt to asylum applications from 19 countries, in a bid to further restrict legal pathways for those seeking refuge. For many migrants, including thousands of Cubans, the situation grows increasingly uncertain by the day.
FAQs on Immigration and Deportation Controversies
What is the Old State Saloon's promotion about?
The Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, is offering free beer for a month to individuals who provide information leading to the deportation of immigrants.
How have people reacted to the bar's offer?
The offer has been widely criticized on social media, with many calling it inhumane and a provocation against the suffering of migrant families.
What actions are being taken by the U.S. government regarding immigration?
The U.S. government, through Homeland Security, is conducting large-scale operations and has recently suspended asylum applications from 19 countries.