A growing number of reports suggest that some Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are engaging in theft during operations, including instances where detainees’ possessions, such as jewellery and personal belongings, are allegedly taken and sold or kept by agents.
These allegations, some supported by photos and citizen testimonies, raise serious questions about misconduct within ICE.
Minnesota gold bracelet photo sparks outrage
The most recent and disturbing evidence emerged from Minnesota, where a photograph circulated showing an ICE agent wearing a gold bracelet. The bracelet was allegedly taken from a detainee during an arrest.
‘It now appears that some ICE agents are stealing from the people they’re arresting. This agent was photographed with a gold bracelet he took off a man in Minnesota,’ a viral post on X was shared.
It now appears that some ICE agents are stealing from the people they’re arresting. This agent was photographed with a gold bracelet he took off a man in Minnesota.
Your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/zpp6YKxK0x
— Lovable Liberal and his Old English sheepdog (@DougWahl1) January 29, 2026
Some users replied stating, ‘What did you expect from recruited thugs? I guess this is the only way they’ll ever be able to afford nice things. The similarity to the Nazis stealing gold & other items from the Jews & others when they sent them to concentration camps. Stop funding ICE. They are terrorizing America.’
‘I saw they were taking vehicles also and driving them around and one detainees brother caught an agent and filed a police report against him!’ another user commented.
‘Of course they’re stealing. If they’re harming people and killing people, of course they’re stealing. They don’t care their pieces of sh-t’
‘Those f-cks have copied Nazis to the teeth! Like for real. It’s like the US has actual Nazi handbook.’
Critics argue that this incident echoes historical instances where oppressive regimes stole valuables from victims, referencing Nazi practices during World War II.
Nazi officials systematically robbed Jews of jewellery, gold teeth, and valuables, which were melted down or sold to fund their war effort.
‘Confiscated goods, including gold, cash, art, ritual silver, furniture, clothing, and even human hair, were sorted, sold, or reused to support the German war economy and to enrich Nazi officials and collaborators,’ wrote Feminist News on Facebook.
It appears that some ICE agents are stealing from the people they’re arresting. This agent was photographed with a gold bracelet that he allegedly took off of a man in Minnesota. The Nazis did this…
‘Disgusting to see it happening again.’
Meanwhile, ICE supporters have challenged the photos online, asking for verification on the ownership of the bracelet.
‘Is this verified that he stole those bracelets from illegals?’ an X user posted.
‘What about the trillions of dollars stolen by illegals? Not gonna mention that?’ another user asked.
‘Stolen? That’s quite the accusation. Proof? ICE agents aren’t allowed to have their own bracelets?’
Emerging incidents of theft during ICE operations
Recent reports from late 2025 and early 2026 describe multiple incidents where ICE agents are accused of seizing items from individuals during arrests.
One notable case involved a man in Yakima, Washington, where a citizen-filmed footage showed agents removing items from a detainee’s shopping cart at a Walmart parking lot.
‘The information we have received today is that ICE agents captured a man here in Yakima in the parking lot of Walmart on Christmas Day as he was emptying his shopping basket into his car,’ they wrote in the Yakima Herald.
‘After the capture, these fellows may have committed a crime. These fellows are paid with our tax money to do this job. They seized the items in the gentleman’s cart,’ they added. ‘Fortunately, there was a concerned citizen who filmed this situation. So we witnessed it. We are taxpayers and we watched those agents perform an act that we paid for.’
This incident garnered public attention, prompting debates about accountability and misuse of authority.
In another case, two contractors allegedly associated with ICE were accused of stealing and selling high-value jewellery belonging to a 68-year-old US citizen.
Social media posts detailed how diamond bracelets, a Rolex watch, and rings disappeared during an arrest. The posts claimed that proof of these thefts exists and that legal proceedings were underway.
Such allegations extend beyond simple misconduct, hinting at organised or systemic issues within some enforcement units.
Further reports describe agents taking cash from a taco stand following an arrest, as well as a case where a man’s phone was confiscated and later found to be sold.
Wider context of property confiscation and misconduct
Allegations of theft during ICE operations are not isolated. Reports include a 16-year-old U.S. citizen, Arnoldo Bazan, who was detained and reportedly had his phone confiscated and sold by agents on the same day.
Bazan’s experience, involving physical abuse and illegal confiscation, underscores a broader concern about the conduct of immigration officials.
‘I’m underage. I was going to school!,’ Bazan cried when held by ICE agents.
A detailed investigation by ProPublica revealed that agents sometimes use banned chokeholds, and in Bazan’s case, his treatment was justified by DHS officials while his personal property was allegedly sold for profit.
‘The federal law enforcement officer graciously chose not to press charges,’ a statement reads.
Similarly, other incidents involve agents entering homes without warrants, seizing phones, cash, or valuables, then allegedly profiting from these items.
Legal experts and advocacy groups demand thorough investigations into these allegations.
Calls for reform include stricter oversight, disciplinary measures against officers involved in misconduct, and clearer guidelines to prevent the abuse of power.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
