How Can You Recognize a Fake ICE Agent? Immigrants Warn of Robberies and Kidnappings in the U.S.

ICE: Warning Issued About Fake Agents

Migrants Live in Fear

Robberies and Kidnappings Increase

Fear of mass deportations in the United States is being exploited by criminals posing as agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE.

In different states across the country, immigrants report robberies, assaults, kidnappings, and threats committed by people using vests, fake badges, and modified vehicles to appear to be immigration officers.

The phenomenon has grown amid the tightening of immigration policies promoted by President Donald Trump during his second term, according to investigations by Noticias Telemundo and reports from U.S. media outlets.

Immigrants Live in Fear After Break-Ins by Alleged ICE Agents

One of the most shocking cases occurred in Greensboro, North Carolina, where a Mexican immigrant described how a group of armed men broke into the home he shared with other migrants.

The man, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, described the trauma he has experienced since the attack on January 20, 2025, the same day Trump officially returned to the White House.

“I raised my hands and he asked me, ‘Where is the money?’ That’s when I realized it was a robbery. It wasn’t ICE. It wasn’t the police,” the immigrant said.

According to his testimony, at least four armed attackers entered the home while shouting, “ICE! ICE!” During the assault, one of the residents was struck in the head with a gun, and another suffered a forehead wound that required more than ten stitches and staples.

The attackers also threatened a baby with a gun while demanding money from the child’s parents.

“Most people don’t live the way I do,” the immigrant said as he described the bars, locks, and religious figures he now uses to feel protected inside his own home. “I know they are only pieces of wood or small locks, but they help me because I feel a little safer.”

Cases of ICE Imposters Increase Under Trump’s Second Term

Fake ICE Agents: How Can You Recognize Them? – PHOTO: EFE

According to a Noticias Telemundo investigation based on police reports, court records, and news articles, at least 31 cases of people posing as immigration agents were documented in 2025.

The figure represents a significant increase compared with the average of 5.3 incidents per year recorded over the past decade. In total, the investigation identified 84 cases between 2014 and 2025.

Eighty-four percent of the cases reported this year involved people claiming to belong to ICE. Others claimed to be agents of the Border Patrol or the Department of Homeland Security.

Court complaints indicate that during Trump’s second term, more incidents of this type have been recorded than during the previous four presidential terms combined.

“These individuals use the cover of the U.S. government’s growing deportation efforts to commit a serious crime,” CNN reported when covering more than 31 incidents between February and September.

Scammers Use Increasingly Sophisticated Tactics Against Migrants

Immigrant advocacy organizations have warned of an increase in these cases in states such as California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, where millions of migrants live.

Many imposters use black jackets with fake ICE logos, fraudulent badges, and even vehicles with official-looking decals to appear legitimate. In some cases, they cover their faces with dark glasses or masks.

The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, warned that impersonation scams have grown in recent years due to access to technological tools that make it easier to falsify documents and identities.

Among the most common scams are phone calls threatening immediate deportation, text messages requesting payments to avoid arrests, and visits to homes or businesses pretending to be immigration operations.

In Pittsburgh, a man entered a home claiming to be an ICE agent and threatened a teenager with a knife.

In San Diego, another suspect grabbed a restaurant manager by the neck while claiming he would arrest him for being in the country illegally.

How to Detect ICE Imposters? Authorities Warn of Increase in Cases

The rise in people posing as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents has caused fear among thousands of immigrants in the United States.

Immigrant rights organizations and local authorities warn that many criminals take advantage of the fear of deportations to commit robberies, kidnappings, assaults, and extortion.

For that reason, specialists recommend knowing the signs that could help identify fake ICE agents and avoid falling for scams.

Signs to Identify a Fake ICE Agent

ICE Does Not Call to Threaten Deportations

Immigration authorities do not make phone calls or send text messages to warn that a person will be arrested or deported. If someone demands money or personal information by phone while claiming to belong to ICE, it could be a scam.

No Agent Can Ask for Money to Avoid Arrests

Immigration officers do not request cash payments, transfers, gift cards, or money apps to stop deportation proceedings. Any demand for money is an immediate warning sign.

Real Agents Must Carry Official Identification

All ICE officers have official credentials with a photograph, name, and identification number. Immigrants have the right to ask for credentials to be shown clearly.

Not Every Operation Is Legitimate

In several recent cases, criminals have used tactical vests, jackets with ICE logos, and vehicles with fake decals to appear to have authority.

Experts warn that clothing alone does not confirm that they are real agents.

Officers Need Valid Warrants

If they come to a home, immigrants can ask for the warrant to be shown under the door or through a window.

The warrant must include a judge’s signature and the correct information for the person being sought.

What Should You Do If You Suspect a Fake Immigration Agent?

Stay Calm and Do Not Open the Door Immediately

Activists recommend not running away or aggressively confronting people who present themselves as officers. The most important thing is to verify their identity.

Do Not Hand Over Personal Documents

Passports, Social Security numbers, banking information, or immigration documents should never be handed over without first confirming the authenticity of the operation.

Record or Document the Encounter If Possible

Community organizations suggest taking photos, recording videos, or writing down vehicle plates and visible names to report them later to authorities.

Seek Legal Support Immediately

If a person suspects they have been the victim of an imposter, they can contact immigration attorneys, civil rights organizations, or community help lines.

States Where Warnings About Fake ICE Agents Are Most Common

Immigrant advocacy groups have reported an increase in these cases especially in:

California

Texas

Arizona

New Mexico

Organizations say many criminals take advantage of communities where there is constant fear of immigration raids and mass deportations.

Key Recommendations for Immigrants

Fake ICE Agents: How Can You Recognize Them? – Photo: ICE

Remember these basic rules to protect yourself:

ICE never charges money to prevent deportations.

A uniform does not guarantee that someone is a real agent.

You have the right to ask for official identification.

You can remain silent and request an attorney.

Never sign documents without understanding them.

Verify any operation before opening the door.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged the immigrant community to stay informed and report any attempted fraud or intimidation involving fake immigration agents.

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SOURCE: NBC News / Prensa Libre