Kanye West Is Known for His Offensive Comments, But Did He Really Join ICE?

Falling from beloved song maker to societal pariah is a journey that only a few have walked. Among those, Sean "Diddy" Combs and, of course, Kanye "Ye" West.

Ye, once a popular rapper, is now a mega-controversial figure after he seemed to have a public breakdown following his divorce from Kim Kardashian.

But in his fall from public glory, did Ye ever decide to join ICE? The also-controversial federal agency ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has made headlines for brutal and unconstitutional behavior, allegedly kidnapping US citizens and leading to the shooting death of several innocent people.

Kanye's decision to join ICE would be shocking, although merely the latest in a long line of shocking choices. Here's what we know about whether or not he joined the federal agency.

The rumor that West joined ICE seems to date back to early 2025. President Donald Trump had just returned to office to serve his second, and final, term in office, and ICE recruitment was ramping up under the direction of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Images circulated that purported to show West in full tactical gear, with "ICE" emblazoned on his chest.

However, it appears that the images are either AI-generated or photoshopped. There's no credible evidence suggesting that Ye joined ICE, or that he has seriously considered it.

But given West's history of controversial comments, it's not surprising that people were quick to believe that he would join the enforcement agency at the height of its controversy.

Nevertheless, these rumors appear to be false.

It's Ye's own past behavior that suggests this would be on brand for him. In the past, he has been criticized for openly praising Adolf Hitler, suggesting that Nazis had some "good ideas," and going on antisemitic rants that made dangerous assertions about Jewish people.

However, a January 2026 letter published by West might suggest he's seen the light. He took out a letter in the Wall Street Journal, apologizing.

The letter began with Ye explaining that he had suffered a head injury during a car accident 25 years ago.

He wrote, "Comprehensive scans were not done, neurological exams were limited, and the possibility of a frontal-lobe injury was never raised. It wasn’t properly diagnosed until 2023. That medical oversight caused serious damage to my mental health and led to my bipolar type-1 diagnosis.

He added, "Once people label you as 'crazy,' you feel as if you cannot contribute anything meaningful to the world. It’s easy for people to joke and laugh it off when in fact this is a very serious debilitating disease you can die from." West mused that the hardest part was the disease lying to him and convincing him he didn't need help.

Ye went on to apologize to the Black community for his harmful behavior, detailing a self-destructive manic episode and writing that he found comfort in Reddit boards where people write about their experience with mania.

He apologized for losing sight of the impact his words have in public, adding, "As I find my new baseline and new center through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise, and clean living, I have newfound, much-needed clarity. I am pouring my energy into positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world.

I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”