A group of Minneapolis software engineers eating lunch at Clancey’s Deli were confronted by anti-ICE protesters who mistakenly identified them as plainclothes immigration agents. According to reports, an alert in an anti-ICE Signal chat prompted dozens to swarm the restaurant, where engineers were called pedophiles and told to leave the neighborhood.

The incident highlights the tense atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, where recent protests have targeted federal agencies. One engineer, Lee, said his politically aligned friend was shocked by the false accusation, noting the group was simply local developers working on custom apps for Minnesota companies.

Engineers attempted to explain their profession, but the crowd remained hostile. The confrontation underscores how digital communication tools can rapidly mobilize protests based on unverified information, creating collateral damage for bystanders mistaken for government officials.