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A review of court cases and police reports conducted by the television network CNN revealed an unprecedented increase in individuals impersonating agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the United States during the second term of President Donald Trump.
As of 2025, at least two dozen incidents have been identified involving imposters who used fake ICE vests, badges, or vehicles to commit crimes, including kidnappings, robberies, assaults, and rapes.
It represents a significant increase: more cases than in the last four combined presidential terms, since the first of Barack Obama, according to the analysis.
In one of the most serious cases, a woman in Panama City, Florida, was kidnapped by an impostor wearing a jacket with the ICE logo and carrying a fake identification.
The suspect, Latrance Battle, 52 years old, posed as a federal agent and convinced her victim to accompany her to her car before attempting to restrain her by force.
The woman managed to escape and call for help. Battle was arrested and is facing charges of kidnapping and identity theft.
Other documented cases involve alleged agents who stopped vehicles with fake police lights, robbed drivers, extorted immigrants, or even committed assaults under threats of deportation.
Prosecutors and former federal agents link the rise of these impostors to the widespread use of masks and civilian clothing by ICE agents during operations ordered by the White House.
"It is very easy for someone to disguise themselves and act like these agents," warned Mike German, former FBI agent. "When the real agents are masked and without visible badges, they create the perfect environment for criminals to exploit fear and confusion."
The ICE itself defends the practice of wearing masks, claiming that it is a measure of protection against harassment and threats to its members.
However, critics argue that this policy has created a dangerous 'gray zone' where imitators are proliferating.
The debate has escalated to the political level. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a state law banning the use of masks by federal agents during raids or arrests in California in September, making the state the first to implement such a restriction.
The Trump administration, however, declared the rule "unconstitutional" and warned that it will not comply.
The Department of Homeland Security justified its decision by stating that attacks against ICE agents have increased by over 1,000% since January, including attempted run-ins and threats against their families.
Despite the increase in cases, only one of the 24 documented incidents this year has resulted in federal charges, a drastic drop compared to previous administrations, which local leaders believe sends a message of impunity.
“The federal government is not willing to hold them accountable, and that encourages more people to continue posing as ICE agents,” denounced Miguel Arias, councilman of Fresno, California.
In cities such as Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Miami, authorities have issued public alerts for residents to verify the credentials of agents before cooperating in any operation.
Although scams by fake immigration agents are not new, their violent and political nature is.
CNN identified cases of men who pretended to be ICE agents to intimidate protesters, obtain money, or gain notoriety on social media.
"This is not just a public safety issue," concluded former agent German. "It is a direct consequence of the militarization and the secrecy with which immigration policy has been managed during this administration."
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