The administration’s reliance on raids often carried out by agents in plainclothes, operating from unmarked vehicles and without visible warrants, blurred the line between legitimate and fraudulent immigration enforcement. Critics, including members of the United States Congress, argued that ICE's use of masks, plain clothes, and unmarked vehicles without visible identification made it difficult to distinguish between real and fake immigration agents, "inviting perpetrators ... to take advantage of the chaos by impersonating masked ICE agents in order to target and sexually assault women."[3] Reported impersonators in several states have threatened deportation while committing robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults against women in immigrant communities.[3] Documented incidents occurred in multiple states, including California, Florida, Maryland, New York City, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., with perpetrators attempting crimes in person as well as through telephone, text, and online scams.
In response, members of the United States Congress introduced legislation such as the proposed "No Masks for ICE Act," which would prohibit agents from covering their faces during enforcement actions and require visible display of names and agency affiliation.[5] Although impersonating a federal officer is already a crime, the persistence and geographic spread of ICE imposters has drawn scrutiny from civil rights advocates, immigrant groups, and state officials, who describe the issue as a chronic public-safety crisis. Both local and state governments across the United States began to challenge Trump-supported anonymity of government agents in response, raising questions of states' rights against Federal law enforcement in the United States.[6][7][8][9]
Background and causes
Masked ICE agents look for undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem (left).
Increase in immigation policing by Trump ICE
Since the amplification of resources deployed by Donald Trump toward deportation in the second Trump administration, impersonations and imposters associated with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have become more frequent, engaging immigrant communities.[1] This amplification of actions toward alleged undocumented immigrants included the activation of the United States Armed Forces within the U.S. itself, military aircraft, and re-tasking of many agents of Federal law enforcement in the United States from their defined and assigned tasks to immigration enforcement.[11] The Trump administration set a minimum quota of ICE and border control agents to arrest 3000 humans per day.[2] Increasing reports of ICE impersonators and imposters have resulted in dozens of members of the United States Congress calling on the United States Department of Homeland Security to launch investigations into the situation.[3] No legal statute as of July 2025 requires Federal law enforcement to wear identifying uniforms, to not wear masks, or to identify themselves.[2]
Chronic ICE impersonators
The volume and frequency of ICE impersonations to commit unlawful actions has been described as chronic.[1] ICE impersonators have been arrested for those actions in multiple U.S. states.[11]Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, confirmed reports of growing numbers of ICE personators.[12] Bonta stated that "bad actors" had begun to "capitalizing on the fear" raised among minorities by the Trump administration.[4] Incidents of ICE imposters included kidnappings, robberies, fraud, and sexual assault.[13] ICE has been extensively criticized for their ongoing failures to identify themselves in their anti-immigration operations under the Trump administration.[3] The Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues identified the masking of ICE agents as contributing to imposters and increasing exposure of women, especially immigrants, to risk of sexual assault.[3] Arick Fudali of The Bloom Firm noted that the simplicity of ICE agents actual uniforms, masks, and procedures made it simple for imposters to impersonate them and use the fear and intimidation inherent in ICE interactions toward victims.[3]
Right-wing politics
The impersonation of ICE agents to commit crimes and harass persons has been linked in news media to the 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators, where a gunman masked as law enforcement murdered several Democratic Party elected officials, family and pets.[1] Minnesota law enforcement also compared the murders to ICE anonymity.[2]Minnesota Department of Public Safety commissioner Bob Jacobson said the "assassin" "had exploited the trust our uniforms are meant to represent."[2] Media also compared it to the attempted attacks on lawful protestors by a masked individual at a No Kings protests event.[1] It was reported that attempting to impersonate or assist ICE and immigration actions leads to societal hostility toward right-wing politics and beliefs, such as those advanced by the Republican Party.[1]New York Magazine likened the fake ICE impersonators to "right-wing vigilantes" and compared their actions to the 1,600 rioters in the January 6 United States Capitol attack that were pardoned by Trump, which included "current or former law enforcement" officials, and who were "celebrated as heroes" under Trumpism and by Republicans.[2]
The American Prospect noted that ICE's predominant usage of masks to hide the identities of their agents has made it easier for imposters to pose as ICE.[1] The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services noted it was challenging to identify how rampant historical under-reporting of interactions with law enforcement in the United States is.[1] The Charleston Hispanic Association reported to CNN that such harassment of Hispanic-Americans had now become commonplace, but was not often reported or recorded.[11] In response to the continued presence of masked ICE agents and masked ICE imposters, California and other states began taking and developing legal responses to the epidemics of both, to attempt passage of laws restricting usage of masks for law enforcement.[15] Criminals pretending to be ICE were noted to have attempted to commit crimes by "phone, text, email or on social media."[4]
Fudali added, "(To migrants), it doesn’t sound out of the ordinary for someone like that to wield their power to exploit and sexually abuse someone. And what are (the women) going to do?"[3] Impersonating a Federal officer is a crime.[4]Kristi Noem, the current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, has defended the ability of ICE agents to keep their identities secret, weighing their safety over that of the public.[3] ICE leadership has stated they believe agents need to be anonymous to be safe from public oversight and repercussions.[2]California State SenatorScott Wiener compared the situation to "secret police".[16] An ICE official confirmed they are seen as "imperial thugs" due to their secret anonymity.[17] The ICE official stated at the Alabama Sheriffs Association's summer conference they must remain secret for their own safety, saying, "People get followed around. Now your kid cannot sit at the lunch table with other kids at school because of what I do for my job, which I think is very valuable."[17]
In Huntington Park, California, Fernando Diaz was arrested for allegedly "posing as a federal immigration officer". Diaz was arrested after his car was impounded and police discovered the materials in his vehicle. When searched the man had a "loaded gun and official-looking documents with Department of Homeland Security headings in his SUV" along with "multiple copies of passports not registered under the individual’s name."[18] Diaz was charged with "possession of the allegedly unregistered firearm and released on bail."[18] Diaz has denied the allegations.[18]
Masked men impersonating ICE detained the godson of a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (LACBOS) staffer, telling them, "nice truck for someone with that surname."[16] The incident was confirmed by the Los Angeles Times.[16] The men were denied access to the vehicle and fled when a crowd began recording the attack.[16] LACBOS member Kathryn Barger issued a direct warning in a formal council meeting to the public to be aware of ICE impersonators.[16]
Delaware robbery case
The Delaware State Police reported that ICE impersonators committed armed robbery in Milton, Delaware.[19] The impersonators detained a U.S. citizen wearing ICE clothing at knife and gunpoint, and then struck and robbed the victim.[19]
Deportation ICE phone scams
The Government of the District of Columbia issued a warning to the public of these ICE scams and impersonators.[20] In addition to physical impersonation, fraud has occurred involving telephone-based ICE impersonation scams.[20] The scams fraudulently attempt to get money to defer deportations.[20]
Florida unlawful arrest case
In Indiantown, Florida, two men were alleged to have impersonated an ICE officer and target immigrants at a "fake traffic stop" where they would ask drivers for their "documents and immigration status."[18] The men in Florida threatened Hispanic-Americans with deportation, and were ultimately arrested for their actions on Federal criminal charges.[1]
Houston, Texas robbery case
A man in Houston, Texas, was robbed by a fake ICE agent in disguise conducting an illegal traffic road block.[2]
In Maryland, Victor Antonio Reed is accused of raping a Latina women while posing as an ICE agent.[14]
New York attempted rape case
In New York City, a man is alleged to have pretended to be an ICE agent and is accused of trying rape an immigrant woman along with stealing her "phone, purse and jewelry."[14] In the New York borough of Brooklyn a woman was assaulted by a civilian disguised as an ICE agent.[3][22]
North Carolina ICE truck harassment case
In Durham, North Carolina a fake ICE truck was used to harass people at a grocery store.[23] The grocery store is in a predominantly Hispanic area.[24]
North Carolina sexual assault case
Carl Thomas Bennett was arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina, for impersonating an ICE agent and sexually assaulting a woman in that guise.[11] The attack occurred at a local Motel 6.[25] Acting as an ICE agent, Bennett threatened the woman with deportation if she did not have sex with him, and presented fake credentials.[11] Bennett also claimed to be a sworn law enforcement officer and was in possession of cocaine and associated pipe.[23] Siembra NC, an immigrant rights advocacy group in North Carolina, said the attack was part of a growing broader targeting of immigrants through such scams.[25] Bennett has been charged with "kidnapping, second-degree rape and impersonating a law enforcement officer."[14]
Philadelphia robbery case
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a man robbed others while impersonating an ICE official.[14] In the incident, the ICE impersonator physically tied up victims and stole $1000 in cash.[1]
South Carolina impersonation case
Early in Trump's term, in South Carolina a man is alleged to impersonate ICE in order to "harass and mock a group of Latino men".[14][18] During the incident, which was recorded, the impersonator physically captured the men with his vehicle, took their car keys, and threatened to "deport" them.[1] The suspect has been "charged with kidnapping for taking the driver’s keys and trapping the men in their car."[14] The incident on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, led to the arrest of Sean-Michael Johnson, where it was reported he stated, "Now don’t be speaking that pig-Latin in my fucking country!"[11]
Temple University dormitory invasion case
Two men are accused of attempted to enter Temple University's dormitories while posing as ICE agents.[18] One of the two men were charged with impersonating an officer.[18]
Washington, D.C. sexual assault case
A woman in Washington, D.C. was forced into a car and raped by a man disguised as an immigration officer; the man threatened her falsely with deportation.[3][26] The Latina woman was attacked by Victor Antonio Reed according to police, who falsely identified himself as a Federal ICE agent.[26]
Washington state Ukrainian harassment case
Police in Fife, Washington investigated a fake ICE patrol vehicle which targeted Emish Market, a Ukrainian grocery store in the city.[27] The vehicle bore an ICE logo and verbiage, with visible text of "DELIVERY" beneath that, no license plates, and the visible text of "1775" and "911".[27] The alleged ICE vehicle immediately fled when confronted by store security.[27]
Following the arrest of a man impersonating ICE to commit crimes in Huntington Park, California, the city government required all city police to engage and force identification of any Federal law enforcement seen to be operating within the city.[6]
Police in Spokane, Washington under chief Kevin Hall issued new policies for city police to verify detected Federal law enforcement due to local threats of ICE impersonators.[7]
State
California
Sasha Renée Pérez of the California State Senate introduced the No Vigilantes Act.[9] SB 805, if passed, would mandate any Federal law enforcement acting in California would be required to provide "last name, badge or an I.D. number" upon demand.[9] Pérez was quoted asking, "How am I supposed to be able to tell if this is actually federal law enforcement or if this is a vigilante who’s impersonating an ICE officer?"[9]
On the matter of doxing allegations of Federal law enforcement, Pérez noted that California state, county and local law have had matching requirements for years without issue.[9]
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers identified ICE impersonators and masked or anonymous law enforcement as a danger to state residents.[8] In response, led by Bruce Tarr, the Republican leader of the Massachusetts Senate, state senators filed a bill to modify state law, closing a loophole that only criminalized impersonating local, county or state level law enforcement in the state.[8] Under the changes, it will be a state crime in Massachusetts to impersonate Federal officials.[8]
Federal
In response to various incidents, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, a Democrat from New York, introduced the "No Masks for ICE Act" that would "make it illegal for federal agents to cover their faces while conducting immigration enforcement unless the masks were required for their safety or their health" and would require "agents to clearly display their name and agency affiliation on their clothes during arrests and enforcement operations".[5] The bill was co-sponsored by representative Laura Friedman but has no Republican co-sponsors.[5]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Bethune, Naomi (2025-06-24). "ICE Impersonations Proliferate Amid the Agency's Undercover Tactics". The American Prospect. Archived from the original on 2025-06-25. Over the past few months, there have been chronic reports of individuals posing as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, in many cases using these guises to commit unlawful acts. Impersonation of law enforcement is not an uncommon occurrence in the United States, but the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies, and the particular ways in which ICE enjoys anonymity, have led to increased opportunities for such behavior, endangering and exploiting immigrants and their communities, regardless of their status.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cheney-Rice, Zak (2025-07-28). "No One Can Tell Who's a Cop Anymore Masked criminals are impersonating ICE agents and police, preying on an already terrorized public". New York Magazine. Archived from the original on 2025-07-28. Since President Trump reassumed office, the United States has been subjected to a dramatic spike in law enforcement, with often brutal ramifications. With a new daily quota of 3,000 arrests, federal immigration authorities have called on a range of local police agencies to help round up immigrants and dissidents while Trump has deployed the National Guard and the Marines to run interference for the Feds during raids — an unprecedented blitz that spans big cities, small towns, and rural farmlands. This immigration dragnet will only get wider after Congress passed a megabill this month that will triple ICE's budget by 2028, likely making domestic immigration enforcement more expensive than funding the Marine Corps.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Arnold, Jeff (2025-06-16). "ICE officers and impersonators accused of targeting women". KTLA. Archived from the original on 2025-08-18. 'All our lives, we are taught to fear masked men in unmarked vehicles,' the letter stated. 'We learn we should run from such men to avoid being kidnapped, sexually assaulted, or killed. Yet, ICE is increasingly conducting raids and arrests in masks, plain clothes, without visible identification or badges, using unmarked vehicles – tactics that cause confusion, terror, and mistrust among the public.'
1 2 3 4 5 6 Ventura, Bianca (2025-06-26). "'No Vigilantes Act' introduced in an effort to identify federal ICE agents". KTXL. Archived from the original on 2025-06-27. Yet some lawmakers and different law enforcement agencies have expressed opposition towards requiring federal ICE agents to identify themselves, citing concerns of doxing, retaliation or harassment. 'I actually completely disagree with that statement,' said Pérez. 'I see for myself that our local law enforcement agents have been operating this way for years. Whether you look at our local police officers, whether you look at sheriffs, they all provide some sort of identification, some sort of verification. This is basic accountability. This is basic law and order. And I think in so many ways, this makes all of us safer.'
1 2 Sharp, John (2025-07-12). "ICE official says agents seen as 'imperial thugs,' defends face masks". The Birmingham News. Archived from the original on 2025-08-25. 'That impassions people,' he said. 'They want to act because they feel there is an injustice. People get followed around. Now your kid cannot sit at the lunch table with other kids at school because of what I do for my job, which I think is very valuable.'
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