ICE Impersonation Arrests Highlight Rising Tensions Over Immigration Crackdown

Multiple individuals in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania have been charged with impersonating federal immigration officers, raising concerns about safety and harassment in immigrant communities.

Sean Michael Johnson of South Carolina was arrested for impersonating an ICE officer, kidnapping, and other charges after detaining Latino men and making racist remarks, as seen in a viral video.
A Temple University student, Aidan Steigelmann, was charged with impersonating a public servant after attempting to enter a campus dorm and disrupting a local business while dressed as an ICE agent.
Authorities in North Carolina arrested Carl Thomas Bennett for impersonating an ICE officer and allegedly coercing a woman into sexual acts under threat of deportation.
The incidents coincide with heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, leading to widespread fear and confusion in immigrant communities.
Advocacy groups and universities are responding with educational campaigns and statements condemning harassment and emphasizing the importance of distinguishing legitimate law enforcement activity.

The Philadelphia Inquirer