A self-identified tech enthusiast developed an app aimed at tracking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, expressing support for Antifa and urging others to emulate the group’s more aggressive stance.
Called Ice Block, this crowdsourced app notifies users when federal immigration agents are nearby, within a five-mile radius. Users can alert others by providing details about ICE agents, like their clothing and vehicle, ostensibly to help undocumented immigrants feel less anxious.
Joshua Aaron, the app’s creator, compared current federal immigration policies to those of Nazi Germany, stating, “What if there was an early warning system? That’s what Ice Block became.”
With around 20,000 users, primarily in Los Angeles, many were alarmed by anti-ICE protests in June. Aaron recently claimed that Ice Block is now the top social networking app on the Apple App Store.
In a statement, ICE Deputy Todd Lyons criticized CNN for endorsing the app, arguing that it puts federal law enforcement officers in danger and highlighting a concerning 500% rise in attacks against them.
Ice Block did not respond to requests for comment, and reaching Aaron directly proved difficult. Aaron is also associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, which has faced scrutiny over accusations of financial improprieties.
Longtime research into Aaron’s online activities reveals a history of involvement with various leftist movements, including Antifa, which is described as a loosely organized group dedicated to opposing capitalism and the U.S. government through sometimes violent means. Although President Trump proclaimed in 2020 that he would label Antifa as a terrorist organization, no official designation was made.
Portland’s former mayor, Ted Wheeler, acknowledged the chaos linked to Antifa amid ongoing riots in January 2021, with multiple businesses suffering extensive damage. Journalist Andy Ngo, who covers Antifa, has also faced violence related to his reporting on them.
Aaron has openly expressed that Antifa’s opposition to fascism aligns with the principles of democracy, asserting on social media that combating fascism is vital. His posts indicate a strong stance in favor of Antifa, reinforcing the notion of the group as part of a broader movement against tyranny.
Moreover, Aaron has been vocal against the Trump administration and its backers, using explicit language to convey his disdain for Trump and his supporters, emphasizing a strong divide in political beliefs.
