VIDEO: Fake 'ICE' Jacket Causes Panic At Spanish-Language Church

A man wearing a jacket with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement emblem caused a panic during a Spanish-speaking service at a San Rafael Church on June 4, as reported by KTVU Tuesday.

The San Rafael Police Department reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI and discovered the man was not part of either organization. The man was identified by tracing his vehicle’s license plate. He arrived at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection driving a vehicle belonging to the San Francisco International Airport, where he works as a manager, said airport spokesman Doug Yakel. The man had been suspended from his job following the incident.

“A subject was seen taking pictures and video using a cell phone in the parking lot of the church,” said a press release on the San Rafael Police Department website. “The subject walked into the church and continued to videotape people inside.”

The police visited the man at his home near the church. He intended to record the service in order to prove how loud it was. Since he did not speak to anyone or show a badge, he was not charged or arrested. He did not violate any federal laws, but police are still referring the case to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, police Lt. Raffaello Pata said.

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“He said he had prior unresolved issues with the church about noise,” San Rafael police Sgt. Raul Aguilar said. “When we asked further questions about the reasons for the jacket, he wasn’t able to explain.”

Detectives discovered the unidentified man had recently bought the jacket online. As determined by investigators, it did not actually resemble ICE jackets. Novelty ICE jackets can be bought on Amazon or eBay. Although he was not an ICE agent, he appeared to be one to the congregation, scaring them and prompting a police investigation. He could still be charged.

“This person was intentionally impersonating a federal agent,” Omar Carrera, executive director of Canal Alliance said. “He should be charged, because his intent was to terrorize families who were congregating to practice their faith.”

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ICE does not operate at “sensitive locations”, which include churches, funerals and weddings.

“Dressing up as an ICE agent, I don’t see any way to intimidate a community more,” said Lucia Martel-Dow, director of Immigration and Legal Services with Canal Community Alliance. “This person — out of I don’t know what kind of motivations — decided to scare them and make them uncomfortable knowing this is something very sensitive for the Latino and Hispanic community right now. Without knowing his intentions, I know the consequences are fear and distrust.”