CHARLESTON, USA — As immigration enforcement intensifies under the Trump administration, authorities in at least three states have arrested individuals accused of impersonating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, officers.
The incidents, which have targeted Latino communities, have heightened existing fears among undocumented immigrants and fueled concerns about public safety.
The impersonators—arrested in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina—allegedly used their fake authority to harass, intimidate, and, in at least one case, sexually assault victims.
Immigrant advocacy groups warn that these incidents may be just the tip of the iceberg, as rising fear and uncertainty have made migrant communities more vulnerable to fraud, extortion, and violence.
South Carolina: Man Accused of Kidnapping Latinos While Posing as ICE Agent
In Charleston County, South Carolina, 33-year-old Sean-Michael Johnson was arrested for allegedly impersonating an ICE agent and detaining a group of Latino men along a road near Sullivan’s Island.
According to court records, Johnson blocked their vehicle, seized the driver’s keys, and mocked the men’s accents while falsely claiming he was deporting them.
“You all got caught! Where are you from, Mexico? You’re going back to Mexico!” Johnson is heard saying in a video recorded by one of the victims.
At one point, Johnson allegedly knocked the driver’s phone out of his hand after the man called a friend for help.
Johnson faces three counts of kidnapping, along with charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer, petty larceny, and assault and battery.
In a Saturday court appearance, Johnson’s public defender stated that he was “extremely sorry” for his actions, while his family pleaded for leniency, citing mental health issues. Johnson bonded out of jail over the weekend.
The Charleston Hispanic Association says incidents like these are disturbingly common but often go unreported.
“We hear of Hispanics being targeted quite a bit. It’s an everyday thing,” said Enrique Grace, the group’s president.
“I don’t think this is an isolated case—it was just caught on video. It’s pretty sad to see that.”
Philadelphia: College Student Posing as ICE Agent Arrested
In Philadelphia, police arrested Temple University student Aidan Steigelmann, 22, after he and two others allegedly posed as ICE officers on campus.
Wearing shirts labeled “Police” and “ICE”, the three suspects reportedly attempted to enter a residence hall on Saturday night.
After being denied entry, they were later seen disrupting a local business, according to a statement from Temple University.
Philadelphia police arrested Steigelmann, charging him with impersonating a public servant. Temple University immediately suspended him.
Two other suspects fled the scene in a light-colored SUV and remain at large, police said.
Temple University President John Fry emphasized that no real ICE agents were on campus, urging students to avoid spreading misinformation about immigration enforcement.
“The uncertainty of the present moment has also led to an increase in rumours, which can quickly be amplified through social media,” Fry said in a statement.
North Carolina: Fake ICE Agent Accused of Sexual Assault
In Raleigh, North Carolina, police arrested 37-year-old Carl Thomas Bennett, who allegedly posed as an ICE officer to sexually assault a woman at a Motel 6.
According to police reports, Bennett threatened the victim with deportation if she did not comply with his demands.
“He displayed a business card with a badge on it,” the report states, before allegedly assaulting the woman.
Bennett was denied bond and assigned a public defender.
Authorities urged any other potential victims to come forward, warning that predators often target immigrants due to their fear of law enforcement.
Migrant Communities on High Alert Amid Federal Crackdown
The surge in ICE impersonation cases comes as President Donald Trump’s administration aggressively ramps up immigration enforcement.
Since returning to office, Trump has:
- Deployed federal troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Expanded military aircraft use for deportations.
- Authorized mass immigration enforcement operations involving multiple federal agencies.
This has led to increased fear within migrant communities, making them prime targets for scammers and impersonators.
“Immigrants are already vulnerable to fraud, and this just amplifies the fear,” said Nikki Marin Baena, co-director of Siembra NC, a grassroots advocacy group.
Her organization is fighting back by distributing “Know Your Rights” resources to help Latino residents distinguish between legitimate ICE agents and potential fraudsters.
“People are looking for ICE agents everywhere,” Baena said. “That fear creates opportunities for bad actors to exploit vulnerable individuals.”
Legal and Civil Rights Concerns
Immigration advocates argue that Trump’s policies have fostered a climate of fear and emboldened extremists.
“What we’re seeing here is leadership at the top that dehumanizes immigrants, and this is the outcome,” said Maribel Hernández Rivera, director of border and immigration policy at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
She noted that Trump has eliminated Obama-era restrictions that limited ICE enforcement actions at churches, schools, and hospitals, making immigrants less likely to seek help.
“The point of their policies is to create fear, panic, and chaos,” Hernández Rivera said. “That fear doesn’t just make immigrants less safe—it makes all of us less safe.”
What’s Next?
As immigration enforcement continues to intensify, advocates warn that more impersonation scams may emerge, exploiting undocumented immigrants’ fear of deportation.
Officials urge migrant communities to report impersonation attempts—but for many, fear of interacting with law enforcement remains a barrier.
“It’s important for people to feel safe approaching law enforcement to report crimes,” Hernández Rivera emphasized.
“If they don’t, predators will continue to exploit them.”
