FBI Alerts Law โฃEnforcement to Imposters Posing as ICE Agents in Texas and Across the U.S.
The โFederal Bureau of Investigation has issued an alert to lawโ enforcement agencies nationwide regarding a surge in individuals falsely presenting โคthemselves โas federal immigration officials,notablyโข in Texas.These imposters are reportedly approaching โindividuals, creating confusion and eroding trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. โThe โFBI’sโ warning comes amidโค growing concern over a โฃrise in cases of citizens pretending toโข be federal immigration officials,โ especially following aโข large-scale ICE โoperation in Houstonโค that led to the detention of over 100 migrants.
The alert, circulatedโ in early November, urges Immigration and Customs Enforcement โ(ICE)โ personnel to proactively identify themselves โduring operations to dispel any doubt about their legitimacy. The FBI memo emphasizes that theseโ fraudulent โคactivitiesโฃ “damage trust” between law enforcement and the public. ICE offices are also being encouraged to launch public awareness campaigns to educate individuals about identityโฃ fraud andโข to emphasize that legitimate officials will always presentโ identification when requested.
The increase in these incidents โhas sparked particular concern in Texas, where reports of individualsโ attempting to detain or extort migrants have surfaced.โข Impostersโ are specifically instructed not to present themselves as police or federal agents, nor wear uniforms orโ insignia resembling โขthose of ICE or other law enforcement organizations. โข
Victims or โขwitnesses ofโ these scams areโค encouraged to report themโ to the โคFBI. According to NBCโ News, individuals can identify potential imposters by remembering thatโฃ legitimate ICE officials will readily show identification when asked.