FBI warns of criminals posing as ICE, urges agents to identify themselves

A law enforcement bulletin issued last month by the US Immigration Department warned that criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings and sexual assaults in several states. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The office urges agencies to ensure officers clearly identify themselves and to cooperate when civilians request verification of an officer’s identity – including by allowing contact with the local police station. “Ensuring equality of law enforcement personnel”Such and such) identify themselves during operations and cooperate with individuals who request further verification.

The bulletin, first reported by WIRED, cites five incidents in 2025 involving fake immigration officers, and says criminals are using Immigration and customs enforcement Interest in targeting vulnerable communities has increased, making it difficult for Americans to distinguish between lawful officers and fraudsters while eroding trust in law enforcement. A review of public reports confirms the existence of four of the five cases mentioned in the bulletin. One of these attacks appears to have gone unreported, suggesting that the FBI relied in part on internal law enforcement information. The document was first obtained by the nonprofit Transparency People’s ownership.

On August 7, according to the FBI, three men wearing black hoodies entered a New York restaurant and claimed to be ICE agents. Inside, they handcuffed a worker and pulled a garbage bag over his head. Another, believing the thieves’ story, surrendered himself, only to be kicked to the ground and tied up while the intruders robbed the ATM.

The bureau’s report urges agencies at every level of government to coordinate to “verify legitimate versus illicit operations” attributed to ICE — a call that frames the spate of impersonation as a national law enforcement concern.

The FBI declined to comment. Its national press office said it can only respond to media inquiries related to national security, violations of federal law, or essential public safety functions during the government shutdown.

Cases cited by the advisory include kidnappings, street crimes and sexual violence: In Bay County, Florida, the advisory says, a woman “unzipped her jacket to reveal a T-shirt with ICE written on it” and told her ex-boyfriend’s wife she was there to “pick her up” before driving her to an apartment complex. The woman later fled. And in Brooklyn, a man allegedly told a woman he was an immigration officer and “directed her to a nearby flight of stairs,” where he punched her, tried to rape her, and stole her phone before police arrested him. In Raleigh, North Carolina, a man allegedly “entered a hotel room and threatened to deport the woman if she did not have sex with him,” telling her he was a sworn officer. He showed her a business card with a badge, police said.

The FBI describes some signs of impersonation: forged or mismatched credentials, outdated protective equipment, and cloned vehicle tags. It’s urging agencies to launch outreach programs aimed at identifying fake ICE agents, a move the FBI says could counter mistrust caused by impersonators and boost law enforcement’s image.