Three students at Philly’s Temple University are on thin ice after a senseless stunt gone wrong.
The students allegedly posed as phony federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on the Philadelphia campus over the weekend, according to the New York Post, and real cops and school officials were having none of it.
One of the students, identified by Fox affiliate WTXF-TV News as 22-year-old Aidan Steigelmann, was charged with impersonating a public servant and was suspended from the university.
Two other students were not identified but are under investigation, the school said.
“Impersonating law enforcement officers is a crime,” school officials said Saturday in a statement. “This behaviour and harassment of Temple community members will not be tolerated.
“The Philadelphia Police Department and Temple University Police swiftly responded to the incidents and initiated a criminal investigation. PPD is the lead investigative agency and TUPD is actively assisting to gather information.”
School officials said two students wearing shirts marked “Police” and “ICE” were seen on campus shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday, while a third student recorded their hijinks.
The trio tried to get inside one of the dorms, but were turned away. Cops arrived on the scene and it’s unclear as to whether the two other students were questioned or remained on the loose.
“It is deeply troubling and disappointing to know behaviour like this reportedly occurred on campus,” the university’s statement said.
The stunt came as federal immigration agents carry out massive deportation raids across the U.S. The raids have raised tensions in various communities and on university campuses.
A report last week by WTXF said a Philadelphia car wash was raided by ICE agents.
In their statement, Temple officials said no legit ICE activity had taken place on campus.