By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
The FBI is warning that criminals are increasingly posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to carry out violent crimes. The bureau is also urging law enforcement agencies to ensure officers properly identify themselves during operations.
In an October 17 bulletin, obtained through a public records request, the bureau cited cases in New York, Florida, and North Carolina in which perpetrators used ICE-branded clothing or claimed to be ICE officers to intimidate victims. Reported crimes include robberies, kidnappings, sexual assaults, and other violent acts.
“Criminal actors are using ICE’s enhanced public profile and media coverage to their advantage to target vulnerable communities and commit criminal activity,” said the FBI.
“These criminal impersonations make it difficult for the community to distinguish between legitimate officers conducting lawful law enforcement action and imposters engaging in criminal activity, which damages trust between the local community and law enforcement officers.”
Some examples highlighted in the bulletin include: in August, three men in New York robbed a restaurant, tying up staff who initially complied because the suspects identified themselves as ICE agents; in April in Florida, a woman was kidnapped after agreeing to leave with someone impersonating an ICE officer; in February in Brooklyn, a woman was assaulted by a man who posed as an ICE officer; and in January in North Carolina, a man posing as an ICE officer sexually assaulted a woman, threatening deportation.
The FBI is urging law enforcement to “clearly identify themselves during operations and cooperate with individuals who request further verification, such as calling their local precinct to verify the officer’s identity.”
Critics have argued that the anonymity provided by masks and the lack of insignia in some ICE operations not only enable impersonation crimes but also shield officers engaging in misconduct. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, introduced legislation earlier this year to require officers to display identifying insignia and prohibit masks during operations.
“If you uphold the peace of a democratic society, you should not be anonymous,” said Espaillat, emphasizing that masked ICE officers create confusion and fear in communities, particularly among immigrants.
Former ICE director Tom Homan has expressed mixed views on officers wearing masks, acknowledging that anonymity can sometimes protect officers’ safety but noting the practice is controversial.
