A group of software engineers dining at Clancey’s Deli in Minneapolis faced an unexpected confrontation on January 19, 2026, when protesters mistakenly identified them as federal immigration agents. The incident unfolded after a mass text from an anti-ICE group erroneously alerted members to the presence of plainclothes agents in the restaurant.
The engineers were enjoying their lunch when one of their phones received a message from a chat group called “SW Minneapolis Rapid Response.” According to Lee, one of the engineers involved, the alert inaccurately labeled them as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. “My friend was shocked. He’s politically aligned with us and has eaten there before,” Lee explained.
Upon receiving the message, several protesters quickly gathered outside Clancey’s Deli, creating a chaotic scene. Video footage shows demonstrators peering into the restaurant and shouting insults at the men as they exited. “I felt like a zoo animal,” one engineer remarked, expressing disbelief at the unexpected hostility.
As the engineers left the deli, the crowd closed in on them, blowing whistles and hurling accusations. “You’re a f–king bootlicker!” one protester shouted. Another added, “If you’re not with us, then you’re against us!” The engineers, taken aback by the situation, attempted to clarify their identity. “We do custom apps for a whole bunch of companies around Minnesota and the country!” one of them responded, to which a protester retorted, “Then why are you filming us?”
The confrontation escalated when some protesters labeled them as “pedophiles,” and the apparent ringleader claimed they deserved the harassment for being “white privileged males.” Lee expressed concern over the implications of such miscommunication. “You don’t just tell extremists that random customers are ICE agents. That’s how people get hurt,” he noted.
The incident has prompted reflection among the engineers involved, many of whom hold a variety of political views. “After coming face to face with the deranged throng of anti-ICE protesters, I think some of them are rethinking everything,” Lee stated.
This event highlights the potential dangers of misinformation within activist circles and the impact it can have on innocent individuals. As tensions around immigration issues continue to rise, incidents like this serve as stark reminders of the challenges faced by those in the tech industry who may find themselves inadvertently caught in the crossfire of political protests.
