Fake ICE agents terrorized California stores

Two men have been accused of staging a social media stunt in which they impersonated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and recorded themselves harassing local businesses.

Newsweek has contacted ICE for further comment.

Why It Matters

The incident occurred just weeks after ICE raids in the Central Valley reignited fears within the region’s immigrant community and came amid a series of ICE operations in California following President Trump’s pledge to launch the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.

What to Know

According to the Fresno Police Department, the pair wore wigs and black tactical vests with partially obscured lettering, making them appear to read “Police” and “ICE.” They were reported for confronting community members at 11 businesses. At one store, they claimed to be conducting an investigation and demanded to see specific business documents, police said.

They arrested the men on Wednesday on suspicion of impersonating a police officer, a misdemeanor. They were cited and released shortly after.

“As their actions were done simply to gain attention on their personal social media pages, we will not be releasing their names or other information,” the department stated.

Officials said the Fresno Police Department received multiple reports of two men dressed as “ICE agents” harassing customers at various businesses. Callers reported that the men were impersonating federal immigration officials and recording their confrontations with community members.

Police found the two men outside of the River Park shopping center.

In January, ICE officers carried out a three-day raid in rural Kern County, detaining dozens of undocumented farmworkers.

Authorities said that the two men visited multiple businesses, posing as officers and recording their confrontations with the public to post on social media.

A jacket resembling those worn by ICE agents has become a best seller on Amazon, raising concerns about additional impersonations. The fake ICE jacket is available on the website for $29.99 in black or navy.

Since Trump’s return to the White House, there have been multiple reports of emboldened individuals impersonating ICE agents.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a man dressed as an ICE agent admitted he had no affiliation with the agency.

Separately, police at Philadelphia’s Temple University are investigating after two students were accused of impersonating ICE agents at a campus business earlier this month.

Philadelphia police have charged a Temple University student in connection with the alleged impersonation of ICE officers on campus. The incident took place on February 1 when three individuals—two wearing shirts labeled “Police” and “ICE” in white lettering—attempted to enter a campus residence hall, according to a statement from Temple University.

What People Are Saying

An ICE spokesperson told Newsweek: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents are highly trained and dedicated professionals who are sworn to uphold the law, protect the American people and support U.S. national security interests. ICE strongly condemns the impersonation of its officers or agents. This action is not only dangerous, but illegal. Imposters can be arrested for and charged with a criminal offense both at the state and federal level (under 18 USC 912).”

The Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, warned of individuals impersonating ICE agents in local communities earlier this month: “We are aware of reports that individuals alleging to be law enforcement or ICE agents have approached some in our community. This has the effect of generating fear within our communities.

“Please be advised that falsely impersonating a local, state, or federal agency or law enforcement official is illegal. The District stands in strong condemnation of those who would seek to intimidate or disrupt those in and around our schools and will work in partnership with school police and law enforcement partners to address any and all violations targeted against our school communities.”