A group of software engineers dining at Clancey’s Deli in Minneapolis on January 19, 2026, became the target of a protest after being mistakenly identified as federal immigration agents. The incident unfolded when a mass text from an anti-ICE group chat alerted members to the presence of what they believed to be plainclothes agents at the restaurant.
According to one of the engineers, identified as Lee, he and his colleagues were enjoying their lunch when the alert was sent by the “SW Minneapolis Rapid Response” group. “My friend was shocked. He’s on the side politically. He lives nearby. He’s eaten there before. And suddenly he’s seeing messages saying we’re ICE,” Lee recounted.
Following the notification, dozens of protesters swiftly gathered outside Clancey’s Deli. A video captured by one of the engineers shows the group peering through the restaurant’s front window. The engineer described feeling as though they were “like a zoo animal” under scrutiny from the protesters.
As the engineers left the deli, they were confronted by the crowd, which shouted insults and blew whistles. One protester called out, “You’re a f–king bootlicker bitch!” while another proclaimed, “If you’re not with us, then you’re against us!” In a moment of confusion, one engineer attempted to clarify their identity, stating, “We do custom apps for a whole bunch of companies around Minnesota and the country!” This prompted an incredulous response from a protester questioning why they were filming.
Lee reported that some protesters went as far as labeling them “pedophiles,” while the leader of the protest claimed they deserved harassment due to being “white privileged males.” He expressed concern over the potential dangers of such misidentifications, stating, “You don’t just tell extremists that random customers are ICE agents. That’s how people get hurt.”
This incident has prompted reflection among the engineers, many of whom hold various political views. Lee noted that after facing the intense backlash, “I think some of them are rethinking everything.”
The protest reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States. Recently, Minneapolis has seen increased activism against ICE, with local protests often drawing large crowds. This incident serves as a reminder of the potential for misinformation to escalate conflicts and the importance of clear communication within activist communities.