A Temple University student was arrested and suspended after allegedly impersonating a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on the university’s North Philadelphia campus. Aidan Steigelmann, 22, along with two other unidentified individuals, was accused of attempting to pose as ICE agents on Saturday, February 1, just after 9:30 p.m. The trio attempted to enter the Johnson and Hardwick Residence Halls but was denied access by campus security.
According to Temple University and CBS News Philadelphia, Steigelmann and the other suspects were reportedly wearing shirts labeled “Police” and “ICE” while causing a disruption. One of the suspects filmed the incident, and within 10 minutes, authorities were alerted about the ongoing situation. Investigators tracked the suspects’ Jaguar SUV using footage from the incident. Steigelmann and one other individual were located and arrested around 10 p.m. on the 1700 block of North 12th Street.
Steigelmann was charged with impersonating a public servant. Following the arrest, Temple University placed him on interim suspension. The university emphasized that any student found responsible for similar actions would face disciplinary measures, including potential expulsion. In a statement, Temple University said, “Impersonating law enforcement officers is a crime,” and highlighted that such behavior would not be tolerated.
Temple University Police (TUPD) and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) are continuing their investigation into the incident. The university had previously informed the student body on January 29 that neither Temple’s Department of Public Safety nor the Philadelphia Police Department had reports of federal ICE agents being on campus. This announcement followed President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
