By Harshit
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 21 November 2025
A surge in criminals posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents has triggered widespread alarm across the country, as authorities report a dramatic increase in kidnappings, robberies, assaults, and intimidation carried out by people masquerading as federal officers. A review of police filings and media reports shows at least two dozen ICE-impersonation incidents in 2025 — more than during the previous four presidential terms combined.
Experts say the rise is tied to growing national tensions around immigration enforcement and to the Trump administration’s expanded use of masked ICE agents, a practice critics argue has made it harder for the public to distinguish real federal officers from criminals exploiting the confusion.
One of the most disturbing incidents involved a woman in Florida who wore an ICE jacket, mask, sunglasses, and a realistic badge as she abducted a hotel clerk. Police later determined it was a personal attack — not an immigration operation — carried out by a jealous ex-partner.
This case is part of a troubling trend in which criminals use the intimidation power of ICE authority to target vulnerable people, especially immigrants fearful of deportation.
A Sharp Rise Not Seen in Decades
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said ICE impersonation was virtually unheard of before 2025.
“I’ve been at this for 38 years, and I’ve never seen cases involving the impersonation of ICE agents before Donald Trump won the second time,” Krasner said.
Between 2009 and early 2025, only a small number of cases appeared, most involving scammers stealing money from immigrants by threatening deportation. In those years, federal prosecutors charged about half of the cases under federal statutes.
But this year, out of nearly two dozen incidents, only one case has been taken up by federal prosecutors. The lack of federal action, local officials warn, risks sending a message that impersonators can operate with minimal consequences.
Why Masked ICE Agents Are Fueling Confusion
The Trump administration has increasingly deployed masked ICE agents during immigration enforcement operations. Agents frequently wear plain clothes, tactical gear without clear identification, and full face coverings — videos of which have flooded social media.
Mike German, a former FBI agent, said the lack of visible identification creates opportunities for criminals.
“It’s very easy for somebody to just play dress up and go out acting like these agents,” German said. “When agents hide their identity, criminals see a chance to exploit fear.”
ICE defends the practice, citing violent threats and doxxing campaigns against agents. The agency says masks are used for safety, and insists real agents always present credentials and verbally identify themselves.
But critics argue the visibility problem has worsened. In cities like Los Angeles, Boston, and Miami, social media videos show masked agents conducting detentions without clearly marked clothing — making it nearly impossible for bystanders to verify legitimacy.
Florida Kidnapping Exposes Public Vulnerability
The Panama City kidnapping vividly illustrated how criminals exploit public fear of ICE.
A masked woman wearing an ICE jacket approached a hotel clerk, presented a seemingly official ID, and ordered the clerk into a vehicle. Believing she would face more severe consequences if she resisted, the victim complied.
Inside the car, the impersonator snatched the victim’s phone and drove past the nearest sheriff’s office. The clerk managed to escape when the driver entered an apartment complex.
Deputies later arrested 52-year-old Latrance Battle, an ex-girlfriend of the victim’s husband. She now faces multiple state charges, including kidnapping and impersonation of an officer.
Violent Crimes Committed Under Fake ICE Authority
This year’s impersonation cases are significantly more violent than past patterns. They include:
- Kidnappings
- Sexual assaults and rape
- Armed robberies
- Threats of deportation
- Traffic stops using fake police lights
- Masked attacks resembling ICE raids
In Philadelphia, 54-year-old Robert Rosado posed as an ICE agent wearing tactical gear and a holstered gun, zip-tied an auto-shop employee’s hands, and stole about $1,000. He faces federal charges.
In Delaware, masked men in vests marked “ICE” pulled over a driver, robbed him at gunpoint, and assaulted him.
In South Carolina, a man stuck his head inside a parked car, yelled “You’re going back!” at Latino men, and took their keys while pretending to be ICE. He was charged with kidnapping and impersonation.
Two cases involved sexual assault: one man allegedly coerced a woman in North Carolina by threatening deportation; another in Brooklyn punched, robbed, and raped a woman after showing a fake ICE badge.
Social Media “Stunts” Add to Public Confusion
Not all impersonators are violent. Some stage provocative stunts for views or political messaging.
A Ukrainian man in Washington drove through a grocery store parking lot in a decommissioned police SUV with a fake ICE emblem, frightening customers. He said it was for a YouTube “skit.”
In Miami, two men appeared at an anti-Trump protest dressed as ICE officers and filmed themselves disrupting the event.
At CPAC, a young attendee admitted on camera his ICE jacket was from Amazon, joking about using it in sanctuary cities to scare people.
These episodes deepen public mistrust, officials say, because even nonviolent impersonation undermines the ability to identify genuine enforcement actions.
Legislative and Judicial Pushback on Masked Agents
Several states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, have introduced bills to ban masked federal agents from operating within their borders. California passed such a law, set to take effect in January.
The Trump administration says it will not comply, arguing states cannot regulate federal agents.
Homeland Security called the state-level bans “dangerous and irresponsible,” saying agents face a 1000% rise in assaults.
A federal judge in Boston harshly criticized ICE’s masking practices this week, calling the justification “disingenuous, squalid and dishonorable.” He wrote that masked enforcement “terrorizes Americans into quiescence,” comparing it to the tactics of extremist groups.
Local Officials Warn of a Growing Crisis
In Fresno, California, where two impersonators were arrested this year, City Council member Miguel Arias said the lack of federal prosecutions encourages more offenders.
“I expect it will continue to grow because individuals see the federal government is not willing to hold them accountable,” Arias said. “It tells people the public is fair game.”
Former FBI agent Mike German said clearer identification protocols could help: visible badges, consistent uniforms, and notifying local police before operations.
More Cases Emerging Nationwide
Cases continue to move through local courts. In Colorado, a masked man with a handgun and fake ICE badge was arrested after barricading himself in a house with two children. In Florida, a man chased down a minivan and asked to see the driver’s immigration papers while pretending to be an officer.
Authorities say impersonators will likely continue exploiting fear as long as real ICE operations rely heavily on anonymity.