By Robert Tornabene
Since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased immigration arrests nationwide, local law enforcement agencies have increasingly been forced to respond publicly to false claims that ICE was operating in their jurisdiction or working alongside local law enforcement.
How agencies formulate that response — how quickly they respond and the language they use — directly affects public perception. Ultimately, these moments determine whether the public trusts or questions the agency.
In just the past year, agencies across the country have been forced to publicly debunk viral claims of ICE activity tied to routine or unrelated law enforcement operations:
January 2026, Appleton, Wis. – A video circulating on social media alleged ICE agents were operating in Appleton. Appleton PD stated the video was false and showed a multijurisdictional drug task force.
October 2025, Bethel, Conn. – Social media posts claimed ICE agents were detaining people in town. Bethel PD clarified the incident involved the execution of a drug search warrant and was not related to ICE activity.
February 2025, Herndon, Va. – Social media rumors and phone calls claimed Herndon Police participated in immigration raids with ICE. Herndon PD issued a denial stating the department did not participate in deportation raids or ICE civil detainers.
Why speed, clarity and language matter when false ICE activity claims go viral By Robert Tornabene Since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased immigration arrests nationwide, loca...