The U.S. is seeing a dramatic rise in incidents involving people allegedly impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers this year, according to an analysis by CNN on Thursday. The investigation revealed at least 24 instances of people impersonating ICE agents in 2025, with cases ranging from accusations of rape, assault, kidnapping and robbery.
The assessment comes through a review of court filings, social media posts and local news stories.
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Compared to past administrations
The data shows a considerable jump from such incidents dating back to the first Obama administration, which largely consisted of extortion efforts against immigrants. The impersonation cases in 2025 have also reportedly consisted of more acts of violence. The number of incidents CNN found is more than the past four presidential administrations combined.
CNN reports that, among this year’s incidents, criminal charges have been brought in fewer than half of the alleged crimes, and only one case has resulted in federal charges. The data marks a significant shift from the previous four presidential administrations, when about half of ICE impersonation cases involved charges under federal law.
“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,” Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, whose office is prosecuting two impersonation cases from this year, told CNN.
Impersonations and mass deportation efforts
Some law enforcement officials have linked the rise in impersonators to the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts and strict immigration enforcement, including the use of masks by federal agents during raids or operations.
“It’s very easy for somebody to just play dress up and go out acting like these agents,” Mike German, a former FBI agent, stated to CNN. “And because these agents have been so aggressive in public without identifying themselves, it creates fear, and that fear is an opportunity for a criminal.”
Trump administration defends use of ICE agents’ masks
The Trump administration asserts that masks are necessary for ICE agents to protect themselves and their families from incidents of doxing and threats of violence that have risen amid increased operations. ICE also pushed back on the assertion that agents fail to identify themselves, remarking to CNN that officers “always have credentials visible and clearly announce who they are.”
The agency denounced the impersonation of ICE agents, saying in a statement that it “strongly condemns” the “illegal” and “dangerous” acts.
Democrats against use of masks by ICE agents
Democrats contend that the use of masks makes it easier for impostors to target victims, and prominent party leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., have taken action against the use of masks by ICE agents. Newsom signed into law a ban on federal agents wearing masks during operations on Sept. 20, prompted in part by rising concerns over impersonators.
The Trump administration has condemned the law as unconstitutional and pledged that ICE will not adhere to the state law. State laws, they contend, cannot dictate federal actions.
