The Bar's Viral Deportation Offer
Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, announced on social media platform X that it would give free unlimited beer for one month to anyone who helps U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identify and successfully deport an "illegal immigrant" from Idaho. The establishment added it "may award multiple months to one person if multiple illegals are deported".
To claim the reward, participants must submit evidence of their assistance, including photos and videos, to a dedicated email address: deportations@oldstatesaloon.com. The bar has already approved at least one claimant, Ryan Spoon, vice chair of the Ada County Republican Central Committee in Idaho, who provided evidence of helping ICE make an arrest.
Social Media Reaction and 'Deporter Leaderboard'
The online response to the saloon's announcement has been polarized, with some commentators embracing the concept as patriotic while others have condemned it as unethical.
- Supportive Responses: Conservative Gen Z influencer Bo Loudon praised the concept as an "incredible idea," adding, "This is why I love the United States". Other users suggested creating a "deportation leaderboard" to track top participants and champion a "Deporter of the Year" award, potentially granting the winner free beer for life.
- Critical Reactions: The promotion has also drawn significant criticism, with some social media users calling for boycotts or cancellation of the establishment. The bar has publicly posted negative Google reviews it received, dismissing them as "1 star reviews roll in from the loser LEFT".
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially responded to the saloon's post with a GIF from the 1990s television series "Dinosaurs," showing character Earl Sinclair dropping his beer glass in surprise. The bar enthusiastically replied, "Love it!" and "Let's go! Deport them all!".
Controversial History of Old State Saloon
This is not the first time Old State Saloon and its owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, have sparked controversy. In 2024, the establishment declared June as "Heterosexual Awesomeness Month" — later renamed from "Heterosexual Awareness Month" — offering discounts and free beer exclusively to heterosexual men, women, and couples throughout the month.
Fitzpatrick explained the previous initiative came from wanting "to celebrate the other side of sexuality, heterosexuality, the way God designed it". The bar's social media bio currently describes itself as the "Birthplace of Heterosexual Awesomeness Month" and boasts that "liberals around the world hate us".
The saloon also sells merchandise featuring the slogan "Make America Straight Again" on its website.
Trump Administration's Immigration Crackdown
The bar's promotion aligns with the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement efforts. As of November 15, 2025, approximately 53,000 immigrants have been detained in America according to official figures, with current ICE detention numbers reaching 65,135 by November 16.
In a recent policy address, President Donald Trump called for "reverse migration" and announced a permanent halt to refugees arriving from what he termed "Third World Countries". He stated his administration would "denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility" and "remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country".
Immigration Detention Demographics
Recent data reveals significant details about who is being detained in ICE operations:
| Detention Statistics | Figures |
| Total ICE detainees (as of Nov 16, 2025) | 65,135 |
| Detainees with no criminal convictions | 73.6% (47,964 individuals) |
| Detainees with violent criminal convictions | Only 5% |
| Increase in non-criminal detainees since Sept 2025 | 5,209 (97% of net increase) |
Table: Immigration detention demographics showing focus on non-criminal immigrants.
This data indicates that nearly three-quarters of current ICE detainees have no criminal convictions, with only 5% convicted of violent crimes. Since late September 2025, 97% of the net increase in detention numbers has come from individuals with no criminal history.
Public Debate and Implications
The intersection of private business incentives with immigration enforcement raises ethical questions about vigilantism and civic responsibility. The transformation of immigration enforcement into a competitive game with alcohol as reward troubles civil rights advocates, particularly as data suggests the immigration crackdown is increasingly affecting people without criminal records.
The Trump administration defends its approach as necessary for national security and economic protection. In his Thanksgiving posts, Trump asserted that immigration policies have "ruined the lives of Americans" and promised that "those who are not beneficial to America" would be removed.
Meanwhile, research from organizations like the Cato Institute and TRAC indicates the administration's enforcement priorities have shifted away from focusing primarily on criminals toward broader immigration control.
As the debate continues, Old State Saloon's promotion illustrates how immigration policy continues to generate both innovative support and strong opposition across America, reflecting deeper divisions in the national conversation about immigration's future in the United States.
