The authorities in Huntington Park, CA arrested Fernando Diaz for posing as an ICE agent. This encounter highlights the disturbing pattern of private citizens posing as law enforcement officers. At one point, law enforcement found Diaz with a loaded firearm tucked inside his SUV. They found legitimate documents that had Department of Homeland Security logos on them. He is charged with possession of an allegedly unregistered firearm and was released on bail, but has not returned to the peaceful, armed activism community.
Diaz vigorously disputed the claims. He claimed that at no time did he ever pose as a BP or ICE agent. His arrest draws attention to a growing trend of these impersonation cases emerging all across the United States. This wave coincides with a dramatic nationwide increase in the criminalization of undocumented migrants.
In February, two men tried to enter a dormitory at Temple University posing as ICE agents. This incident along with the arrest of Diaz raises important questions regarding the safety of civilians. More importantly, it draws attention to the threat of criminals posing as law enforcement.
In a July 2022 incident out of North Carolina that is deeply disturbing to watch, Carl Thomas Bennett was arrested. He had posed as an ICE agent and raped a woman. Bennett threatened to deport her if she did not return his sexual favors. These situations are a reminder of the threats that can come from those who impersonate immigration agents.
Just a few weeks ago, in late January, authorities in South Carolina arrested a man on drug trafficking charges. He misrepresented himself as an ICE officer, allegedly detaining dozens of Latino men. This North Carolina man was charged with kidnapping and impersonation, showing the real-world consequences that can arise from these impersonation incidents.
The reality on the ground in Florida is worse and even more disturbing. In Indiantown, Florida, a man was arrested for protecting an unlawful ICE officer. He would require victims to prove their credentials and immigration status. After two members of the public reported the incident to law enforcement, authorities arrested the alleged perpetrator.
This recent spike in impersonation cases comes as this administration has ramped up attention and efforts toward targeting and enforcing immigrant communities nationwide. Many federal agents operating in the Los Angeles region have appeared masked in recent weeks, contributing to public confusion and concern over legitimate law enforcement activities.
“Federal agents wearing masks and casual clothing significantly increases this risk of any citizen dressing up in a way that fools the public into believing they are law enforcement so they can engage in illegal activity. It is a public safety threat, and it’s also a threat to the agents and officers themselves, because people will not immediately be able to distinguish between who is engaged in legitimate activity or illegitimate activity when violence is occurring in public.” – Mike German, a former FBI agent and fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice.
The recent arrest of Diaz only emphasizes how badly we need the public to be more aware of impersonation cases. The effort to round up and deport all of the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants is getting increasingly aggressive. Law enforcement agencies and communities should remain vigilant, focused on protecting vulnerable individuals from threats by criminals masquerading as immigration officials.