A viral video of an ICE agent sporting what appears to be a Rolex wristwatch laid over a “We The People” tattoo has divided social media users.
The as-yet unidentified agent was filmed wearing the watch outside of an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, where tensions have continued to build at Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center.
Right-wing influencer Nick Sortor claimed on X that the agent, who wore large glasses and a mask concealing his face, was sporting a “Rolex Submariner.”
“Holy freaking patriot,” Sortor wrote, adding an emoji of a U.S. flag.
A Rolex Submariner is one of the luxury watch brand’s most iconic products, with Sean Connery wearing one as James Bond in several of the franchise’s hit films, according to Watch Collectors. On Rolex’s website, the cheapest model sells for $10,050, while the most expensive retails for $48,600.
After a community note suggested that the watch was a “Seaholm U.S. Border Patrol Offshore watch,” Sortor uploaded another video of the ICE agent.
“The Community Note is INCORRECT and our patriotic ICE agent here in Newark IS INDEED wearing a $10,000+ Rolex overtop of his WE THE PEOPLE tattoo,” Sortor wrote. “These guys have worked for EVERY PENNY.”
Sortor added, “Much deserved! God bless ICE!”
Other conservative voices quickly weighed in, with political commentator Eric Daugherty describing the ICE agent as “based” on X.
The DHS even shared an image of the watch on X, which the department captioned, “A crown for every achievement.”
However, Todd Schulte, the president of FWD.us, an organization dedicated to immigration policy reform, tore into the DHS for posting the picture of the watch online.
“[That feeling when] you have a massive political vulnerability bc voters loathe that you’re prioritizing spending hundreds of billions on ICE & CBP and cutting health care instead of focusing on the cost of living…and your RT your own post of your agents have a Rolex,” he wrote on X.
The debate over the video filmed in Newark comes as tensions continue to build at Delaney Hall, where inmates have launched a hunger strike.
Senator Andy Kim told a reporter from NJ.com that he was pepper-sprayed by ICE agents outside the facility on Monday. According to him, ICE wanted to move a vehicle and planned to “push through the crowd,” prompting him to place himself between the two groups.
In a post on X, Kim wrote that detainees were “protesting the lack of due process, the disgusting food and poor treatment.”
Late on Wednesday, six protestors were arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers, the DHS said.
The Independent has contacted the DHS for comment.
