Additional Coverage:
- Man wearing ICE uniform brutally beaten in Honolulu not affiliated with agency, DHS says (foxnews.com)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has clarified that a man filmed being attacked on a street in Honolulu while wearing what appeared to be a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) uniform is not affiliated with the agency.
A video that went viral showed a man wearing a tactical vest labeled “ICE” being confronted and assaulted by multiple individuals in Waikiki on Saturday night. The footage captures the group throwing liquid at the man before pulling him to the ground and repeatedly punching and kicking him. The victim eventually collapses and appears bloodied but manages to walk away from the scene.
In response, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that despite the vest, the man is not an ICE agent nor connected to DHS in any capacity. The department emphasized that impersonating a federal immigration officer is a serious offense that will be prosecuted, citing concerns that such acts undermine public safety and trust in law enforcement.
The Honolulu Police Department has confirmed that a 15-year-old boy has been charged with attempted assault related to the incident. Initially arrested for second-degree assault, the charges were later reduced. The victim is reported to be 52 years old, though identities have not been publicly disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
The assault coincided with a “No Dictators” protest held earlier that day in downtown Honolulu, part of the broader “No Kings” demonstrations across the country. Organizers renamed the Honolulu event out of respect for Hawaii’s cultural history.
This incident comes amid reports from DHS of a sharp rise in attacks against ICE personnel. The agency revealed a 1,300% increase in assaults and a 3,200% rise in vehicular attacks on officers this year, along with an 8,000% surge in death threats. Similar protests have seen incendiary messages targeting ICE agents, such as one in Los Angeles where a federal building was spray-painted with threats.
Authorities continue to investigate the Honolulu case as concerns grow over the safety of immigration enforcement officers nationwide.