A fake ICE tip line reveals neighbors reporting neighbors

[Nevilledog]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/02/20/fake-ice-tip-line-viral/

No paywall link
https://archive.li/A5V9o

Ben Palmer, a stand-up comic in Nashville, has built a following online with his signature style of elaborate deadpan pranks, stumbling his way onto court TV shows and pyramid-scheme calls to poke fun at the latent absurdities of American life.

Then last January, he had an idea for a new bit: He’d set up a fake tip line that people could use to report anyone they thought was an undocumented immigrant. It was darker than his other stunts, but it felt topical, the kind of challenge he wanted to try. At the very least, he thought, he might get a few calls he could talk about at his next show.

Instead, his website has received nearly 100 submissions from across the country: people reporting their neighbors, ex-lovers, Uber drivers, strangers they saw at the grocery store. One tip came from a teacher reporting the parents of a kindergarten student at her school.

“I mean, they seem like nice people or whatever,” the woman told Palmer on the call. “But if they’re taking up resources from our county, I’m not into illegal people being here.”

*snip*


The banality of evil.

[ck4829]

1. Banality of evil

In 1930s Germany these were the people who would have told you with a goofy grin that they didn't like politics as the rallies and Hitler banners were taking center stage.

[CrispyQ]

2. "But if they're taking up resources from our county..."

We have a ton of people who are really worried that someone at the lower levels of society, might get something they don't deserve.

[wnylib]

3. I've found that one useful response to them is

to tell them that you understand their envy and will pray for them to qualify for the same benefits.

[AZJonnie]

4. Oooooh, that's good! (nt)