In several neighborhoods in Minnesota, lawyers, activists, and residents have reported that alleged Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been posing as electricians, construction workers, and delivery personnel to carry out surveillance and immigration raids.
According to the reports, these individuals wore reflective vests, white hard hats, and drove vehicles loaded with tools, while hiding official identification and allegedly wearing tactical gear underneath their clothing.
Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have raised concerns over these tactics, warning that they create fear, confusion, and mistrust within immigrant communities already on edge due to enforcement operations.
Although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have not officially confirmed that all the reported cases involved federal agents, eyewitness accounts and circulating videos have intensified the debate over the use of disguises and unmarked vehicles during raids.
What impact does this practice have on immigrant communities?
It increases fear and mistrust, as many residents hesitate to open their doors or interact with people who appear to be ordinary workers out of concern they could be detained.