Minneapolis Software Engineers Harassed After Being Mistaken for ICE Agents

Minneapolis software engineers were harassed and threatened after being falsely identified as ICE agents during a lunch outing, highlighting the dangers of misinformation and mob behavior.

A quiet lunch outing turned into a frightening confrontation for a group of Minneapolis software engineers after they were mistakenly identified as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and targeted by an anti-ICE crowd.

The incident, which unfolded at a neighborhood deli, highlights growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the dangers of misinformation spreading through activist networks.

Lunch Interrupted by False Alert

The group of engineers all casually dressed and meeting for lunch at Clancey’s Deli in southwest Minneapolis had no idea they were about to become the focus of an online alert.

According to Alpha News, one of the men received a message from an anti-ICE Signal chat group claiming that plainclothes ICE agents were present at the restaurant. The chat, known as “SW Minneapolis Rapid Response,” is used by activists aligned with the anti-ICE movement.

One of the engineers, who identified himself as Lee, said the accusation was especially shocking because the friend who received the alert is politically aligned with the anti-ICE cause.

“My friend was shocked. He’s on the anti-ICE side politically. He lives nearby. He’s eaten there before. And suddenly he’s seeing messages saying we’re ICE,” Lee said.

Crowd Gathers and Harassment Escalates

After the alert circulated, dozens of protesters reportedly gathered outside the restaurant, peering through the windows and filming the men inside.

When the engineers eventually left the deli, they were confronted on the street by members of the crowd. Video footage taken by one of the men captured the hostility.

Shouts included vulgar insults, accusations, and even death wishes.

“Next thing we know, people are yelling, ‘I hope you die,’ and calling us pedophiles,” Lee said.

Attempts to Explain Were Rejected

One of the men tried to calm the situation by explaining they were simply software engineers having lunch.

“We do custom apps for a whole bunch of companies around Minnesota and the country,” he said.

The explanation failed to persuade the crowd. One man asked sarcastically if he looked like an ICE agent, only to be met with an angry response:

“Yeah, you look like a f------ ICE agent,” a woman shouted back.

Whistles and chants of “Get the f--- out” echoed as the group tried to leave the area.

A Broader Climate of Tension

The incident comes amid heightened emotions in Minnesota following recent protests involving ICE operations and clashes with federal officers. Demonstrations have intensified after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in nearby St. Paul earlier this month.

In the days following that incident, authorities reported arrests of demonstrators accused of assaulting officers, further fueling division and unrest.

Engineers Speak Out

As the men walked away, one of them voiced frustration with what had just unfolded.

“This is what’s wrong with your guys’ cause,” he said, referencing the mob behavior and refusal to listen.

The group later expressed concern about how quickly misinformation spread and how easily ordinary people were targeted without verification.

A Warning About Misinformation and Mob Mentality

What began as a false alert in a private chat escalated into a public harassment incident that left innocent bystanders shaken. The episode underscores the real-world consequences of misidentification, online rumors, and emotionally charged activism.

As political tensions continue to rise, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of restraint, verification, and basic human decency especially when accusations can put lives at risk.