Reports of ICE Agents Impersonating Workers Add to Fears in Minnesota

Encounters with federal agents posing as utility workers, construction workers, and delivery drivers have heightened concerns about immigration enforcement tactics in the state.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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In Minnesota, there have been growing reports of federal immigration agents impersonating various types of workers, including utility workers, construction workers, and delivery drivers, in order to conduct surveillance and make arrests. These tactics have heightened fears in the state, with legal observers and officials expressing concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement methods and the erosion of public trust.

Why it matters

The use of deceptive tactics by immigration authorities, known as 'ruses,' has become more common in recent years and has prompted legal challenges. In Minnesota, these tactics appear to be a response to the state's networks of citizen observers who try to monitor and document federal agents' activities. The impersonation of workers in plain sight has added to the sense of unease and distrust in the community.

The details

Federal agents have been spotted leaving the ICE office in Minneapolis in vehicles disguised to look like they belong to construction workers, delivery drivers, and even anti-ICE activists. Agents have also been reported showing up at construction sites dressed as workers. These tactics seem to be an attempt to avoid detection by the sprawling networks of citizen observers in Minnesota who try to call attention to federal agents before they make arrests.

  • In recent weeks, federal agents have repeatedly shown up to construction sites dressed as workers.
  • On January 13, two men in street clothes entered an antiques store in Minneapolis and inquired about purchasing license plates, which the store owner believed was an attempt to obtain fake plates for an ICE vehicle.

The players

Luis Ramirez

A 31-year-old who owns a Mexican restaurant in suburban Minneapolis and confronted two men dressed as utility workers who he believed were federal immigration agents.

Naureen Shah

The director of immigration advocacy at the American Civil Liberties Union, who stated that the tactics being used in Minnesota are an attempt to 'control a populace, not trying to do routine, professional law enforcement.'

Jose Alvillar

A lead organizer for the local immigrant rights group Unidos MN, who said there has been an increase in 'cowboy tactics' by federal agents, including showing up to construction sites dressed as workers.

Candice Metrailer

An antiques dealer in Minneapolis who believes she witnessed an attempt by federal agents to obtain fake license plates for an ICE vehicle.

Scott Mechkowski

A former deputy director of ICE enforcement and operations in New York City, who said the tactics being used in Minnesota are a response to the 'level of obstruction and interference' from the volunteer army of ICE-tracking activists.

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What they’re saying

“This is what our taxpayer money goes to: renting these vehicles with fake tags to come sit here and watch my business.”

— Luis Ramirez, Restaurant owner

“If you have people afraid that the electrical worker outside their house might be ICE, you're inviting public distrust and confusion on a much more dangerous level. This is what you do if you're trying to control a populace, not trying to do routine, professional law enforcement.”

— Naureen Shah, Director of immigration advocacy, American Civil Liberties Union

“We've seen an increase in the cowboy tactics. Construction workers are good at identifying who is a real construction worker and who is dressing up as one.”

— Jose Alvillar, Lead organizer, Unidos MN

What’s next

The Minnesota Attorney General's office is investigating the reported incidents of federal agents impersonating workers.

The takeaway

The use of deceptive tactics by immigration authorities in Minnesota has eroded public trust and heightened fears in the community, raising concerns about the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement and the potential for these tactics to backfire by further alienating residents.