Reports of ICE Agents Impersonating Workers Raise Fears in Minnesota

Activists and officials say federal agents have been spotted posing as utility workers, construction crews, and even anti-ICE activists 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 workers, including utility crews, construction workers, and even anti-ICE activists, in order to conduct surveillance and enforcement operations. This has heightened fears in the state, which is already on edge due to the ongoing immigration crackdown. Legal observers and officials say these tactics, known as "ruses," have become more common under the Trump administration and are raising concerns about public trust and the violation of civil liberties.

Why it matters

The use of these impersonation tactics by immigration authorities is seen as an extreme measure to avoid detection by the sprawling networks of citizen observers in Minnesota who try to call attention to federal agents before they make arrests. This has led to increased distrust of authorities and concerns about the violation of constitutional rights, as the tactics go beyond simply deceiving immigration targets and appear to be aimed at controlling the broader population.

The details

Federal agents have been spotted wearing high-visibility vests and hard hats, driving vehicles with fake license plates, and even posing as anti-ICE activists in order to conduct surveillance and enforcement operations in Minnesota. In one incident, a restaurant owner confronted two men dressed as utility workers who were parked outside his business. While ICE has used similar "ruse" tactics in the past to gain entry into homes without a warrant, the current tactics in Minnesota appear to be more overt, potentially in response to the extensive citizen monitoring networks that have sought to track federal agents' movements.

  • On January 13, an antiques dealer in Minneapolis reported two men in street clothes entering her shop and inquiring about purchasing license plates.
  • In recent weeks, federal agents have repeatedly shown up to construction sites in Minnesota dressed as workers, according to a local immigrant rights organizer.

The players

Luis Ramirez

A 31-year-old owner of a Mexican restaurant in suburban Minneapolis who confronted two men dressed as utility workers outside his business.

Naureen Shah

The director of immigration advocacy at the American Civil Liberties Union, who stated that the tactics being used in Minnesota are more extreme than what has been seen in the past and are more akin to efforts to "control a populace" rather than conduct routine law enforcement.

Jose Alvillar

A lead organizer for the local immigrant rights group Unidos MN, who has reported an increase in federal agents showing up to construction sites dressed as workers.

Candice Metrailer

An antiques dealer in Minneapolis who believes she witnessed federal agents attempting to purchase vintage license plates from her store, which she reported to the state's attorney general.

Scott Mechkowski

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

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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

“Of course agents are adapting their tactics so that they're a step ahead. We've never seen this level of obstruction and interference.”

— Scott Mechkowski, Former Deputy Director of ICE Enforcement and Operations, New York City

What’s next

The Minnesota Attorney General's office is investigating the reported incidents of federal agents impersonating workers, which may violate state laws. Legal groups are also considering further legal action to restrict the use of such tactics by immigration authorities.

The takeaway

The growing use of impersonation tactics by federal immigration agents in Minnesota has heightened fears and eroded public trust, raising concerns about the violation of civil liberties and the ability of authorities to effectively carry out enforcement operations. This highlights the need for greater oversight and transparency around immigration enforcement practices to ensure they are conducted in a lawful and ethical manner.