As the ICE further expands its operations nationwide, it appears some people in Arizona are pointing out a new tactic unfolding rather sneakily. A couple of Arizona locals have gone viral for alleging that ICE is now infiltrating Uber and Lyft as undercover drivers to detain passengers whom they suspect are illegal immigrants, supposedly.
The testimony came from TikTok user jesus_is_king_99_ from Phoenix, Arizona, who stated that she received the following warning in her area: “Apparently, ICE is doing Ubers now– Uber and Lyft and they’re picking people up, and they’re pulling over, arresting the people.” She continues, “They have to prove obviously that they are US citizens, but please, people, be very careful out there right now.” That seems to be the case in Phoenix, Arizona, and it’s not clear whether it’s the same for Uber and Lyft services in other cities or states.
Many people have doubted the TikTok user’s information, and the TikTok user herself stated that she doesn’t have evidence and only warns, “But do your own diligence.” However, a supporting testimony from an actual Uber driver who’s also from Phoenix, named coachcentearious, claimed that “Uber and Lyft won’t know” if whoever they’re recruiting are undercover ICE agent since their hiring process doesn’t account for undercover feds.
“You need to look at the stats of the driver,” warns the Uber driver. “If they are brand new, cancel the ride,” advises the Uber driver, since there might be a chance that they’re undercover ICE agents, according to her logic. While this might not sound fair for actual new, non-ICE drivers, being picked up by an undercover ICE agent is not exactly more favorable. “It’s not Uber and Lyft’s fault,” adds the Uber driver.
People online are questioning the tactic
Sadly, many people still blamed Uber and Lyft, all because of ICE’s alleged new tactic for catching suspected illegal immigrants. The ride-share companies can supposedly impose new hiring metrics, “THEY CAN ALSO CREATE A CLAUSE THAT STATE THEIR PLATFORM CANNOT BE USED BY ICE IN NO SHAPE OR FORM PERIOD. ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN WILL HURT THEIR BUSINESS,” rants a commenter.
Some have questioned the practice (assuming ICE is actually doing it right now), “It cannot be legal to be undercover as a driver of a non-federal company and also be working as federal immigration and be on duty,” to which another commenter replied, “They’re lawless thugs.” Needless to say, the prospect of getting an undercover ICE agent as your Uber driver has frightened many, “Gawd this is getting scary.”
More than anything, however, sentiments about the country’s democratic process have been put into question and under scrutiny if this is the tactic that a federal agency now resorts to. “USA is officially under authoritarian regime,” fears a TikTok user, as other commenters point out the absurdity of the situation, “Imagine paying for a ride, and getting arrested by your driver. And that arresting “officer” keeps your money too.”
