Students suspended for impersonating ICE agents on campus

Police at Philadelphia’s Temple University are investigating after two students were accused of impersonating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a campus business over the weekend.

As a result, the university has placed the students on interim suspension while authorities look into the incident.

Newsweek has contacted Temple University for further comment via email.

Why It Matters

The case comes amid heightened national discourse surrounding immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, who has overseen the implementation of stricter policies regarding the issue.

A key aspect of his administration’s approach has been the rescinding of restrictions that prevented ICE from conducting arrests in sensitive places, such as educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and places of worship. These changes have led to increased anxiety within immigrant communities, particularly among those living in the U.S. without legal status.

What To Know

According to Pew Research Center data, an estimated 10.5 million undocumented immigrants were living in the U.S. as of 2020. Many members of these communities have lived in the country for years, but are now mired in an environment of heightened fear and uncertainty regarding their safety and legal standing, further amplified by acts such as those at Temple.

Philadelphia police have charged 22-year-old student Aidan Steigelmann with impersonating an officer. Temple police identified a third person involved in the incident on February 1 as a former student who is no longer associated with the school.

Authorities have only released information on Steigelmann at this time.

The suspects, seen wearing shirts marked with “ICE” and “POLICE,” were accused of impersonating agents on the university’s North Philadelphia campus. One of them was reportedly filming the incident.

Temple University campus police received reports of the individuals impersonating ICE officers at Insomnia Cookies on Cecil B. Moore Avenue on Saturday night.

Philadelphia police later discovered that two of the suspects had attempted to enter the Johnson and Hardwick Residence Halls, claiming to be police and ICE agents. Temple officers were called to the buildings, but by the time they arrived, the suspects had fled in a Jaguar SUV.

Around 10 minutes later, Philadelphia police responded to Insomnia Cookies, where the suspects were causing a disturbance and filming. Using nearby cameras, investigators tracked the vehicle and arrested Steigelmann on the 1700 block of North 12th Street at 10 p.m.

Temple University confirmed Steigelmann has been placed on interim suspension.

What People Are Saying

Temple University said in a statement: “Any student found responsible for this conduct will be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code, up to and including expulsion. Impersonating law enforcement officers is a crime. This behavior and harassment of Temple community members will not be tolerated.”

ICE said in a statement that “the impersonation of any law enforcement officer is not only dangerous, but illegal (…) Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents are highly trained and dedicated professionals (…) Anyone who suspects they have encountered an imposter is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.”

What Happens Next

Investigations into the case remain ongoing.