A group of software engineers in Minneapolis faced a barrage of insults and were falsely branded as pedophiles when they were misidentified as agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a lunch outing.

The incident occurred while the men, all casually dressed in sweatshirts and jackets, were having lunch at Clancey’s Deli. During their meal, one of the engineers received a notification from a Signal chat group known for its anti-ICE stance. The alert falsely claimed that plainclothes ICE agents were present at the restaurant, according to a report by Alpha News.

One of the engineers, who shared his name as Lee, explained that the individual who received the message is politically aligned with the anti-ICE movement. “My friend was taken aback. Politically, he supports the [anti-ICE] cause, lives nearby, and has dined there before. Suddenly, he sees messages accusing us of being ICE agents,” Lee recounted.

This case of mistaken identity highlights the tense atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement issues, as well as the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly in politically charged environments.

“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. 

After the alert was shared, dozens of anti-ICE agitators flocked to the restaurant and peered into the window, according to a video filmed by one of the men. 

Once the group left, they were met on the street with derision from the crowd. 

“You’re a f—— bootlicker b—-!” one of the agitators can be heard.

“Get out of our f—— neighborhood!” screamed another.

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

Protesters gather in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in response to the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

One of the men tried explaining that they were software engineers trying to have a meal.

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

Still, the crowd appeared unconvinced. 

“Do I look like an ICE agent?” one of the men asked, prompting one woman to reply with: “Yeah, you look like a f—— ICE agent.”

“Get the f— out” one person is heard saying as whistles are heard in the background. 

“This is what’s wrong with your guys’ cause,” the man said. 

A woman asks, “Would you support [us]?”

“The way you guys are acting? No. And I don’t support ICE either,” one man said. “I’m just trying to enjoy my lunch!”