The FBI has issued a nationwide warning after a shocking surge in criminals impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to commit robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults.
Officials say the spike comes amid heightened visibility of ICE enforcement actions under the Trump administration, allowing criminals to exploit the agency’s public profile.
“Criminal actors are using ICE’s enhanced public profile and media coverage to their advantage to target vulnerable communities and commit criminal activity,” the bulletin stated.
The FBI urged agents to clearly identify themselves and for civilians to confirm their identities through official channels during enforcement activities.
Since early 2025, at least five incidents have been reported where suspects posed as ICE officers. On Jan. 29, a man in North Carolina allegedly impersonated an ICE agent to sexually assault a woman at a motel.
He threatened to deport her if she did not comply and presented fake credentials, including a business card and badge.
In Brooklyn, another man attacked a Hispanic woman after claiming to be an ICE agent, per Newsweek.
He lured her to a stairwell, attempted rape, and stole her purse and cellphone. Police arrested him and charged him with rape, robbery, assault, burglary, and criminal possession of stolen property.
Another alarming case occurred in Florida, where a woman applying for legal U.S. residency was kidnapped by a suspect pretending to be an ICE agent.
The man displayed a shirt labeled “ICE” and convinced the woman to enter his vehicle. She was taken to an apartment complex but managed to escape unharmed.
In New York, three men dressed in black tactical gear posed as immigration officers to rob a restaurant.
They restrained employees, placed one in a garbage bag, and stole cash from an ATM inside the building.
Witnesses initially believed they were legitimate agents, illustrating the convincing nature of impersonators.
The FBI bulletin outlines clear indicators of impersonation: forged or mismatched credentials, outdated uniforms, and cloned vehicle decals. Authorities emphasize the importance of visible identification for law enforcement officers and caution civilians against interference during verification.
Scott Mechkowski, a retired ICE agent, explained that impersonators often act alone, making them easier to spot. Real ICE operations involve coordinated teams, which can make impersonation attempts appear more convincing when multiple suspects act together.
The warnings come as ICE has faced increasing scrutiny over allegations of excessive force and misconduct.
Ryan Shapiro, executive director of Property of the People, slammed the agency, saying, “It’s rich the FBI thinks ICE has a PR problem in immigrant communities because of impersonators, while masked and militarized ICE agents are waging a daily campaign of terror against those very communities.”
