Seeing ICE Or Border Patrol Shirts? They May Not Be Real ICE Agents

With the announcement that immigration detainees will be housed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in the near future, concerns about the potential for arrests are on the rise.

In Ocean County, where the Trump administration's actions receive considerable support, T-shirts backing the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are popping up.

Some are designed to look like actual agency shirts, which raises concerns about who actually is an ICE agent.

The shirts, however, are not sanctioned by the agencies involved. T-shirts like the one pictured with this article are printed by custom T-shirt companies online. One such company, Printerval, offers not only the shirt in the photo but also prints a range of other shirts, including ones that support LGBTQ organizations and Pride Month.

The shirts could be crossing a line of what's legal as well.

"Immigration and Customs Enforcement strongly condemns the impersonation of its officers," an ICE spokesperson said. "This action is not only dangerous, but illegal. Imposters can be charged under federal law 18 USC 912 of the United States code for these types of offenses."

"ICE officers are highly trained and dedicated professionals who are sworn to uphold the law, protect the American people and support U.S. national security," the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson said the agency coordinates with local authorities to ensure anyone impersonating ICE officers is prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law."

ICE officers involved in removal operations wear badges that are designed to clearly identify them as agents. The badges have an eagle at the top and a shield below that includes the letters ICE. It usually includes the Department of Homeland Security seal that has an eagle, a shield and other elements representing security and enforcement.

Homeland Security Investigations special agents have badges that identify them as special agents and prominently display the Department of Homeland Security seal.

Anyone who feels they have encountered or been accosted by a possible ICE or Homeland Security impersonator should contact local law enforcement and the closest ICE office as soon as it is safe to do so, and provide as many details about the person as possible.