A Temple University student has been 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 suspects, was accused of attempting to enter the Johnson and Hardwick Residence Halls on Saturday, February 1.
According to Temple University officials, the group was denied access to the residence halls shortly after 9:30 p.m. that evening.
Steigelmann and the other suspects reportedly wore shirts that read “Police” and “ICE” as they attempted to disrupt the campus environment.
After being turned away, the three individuals left the scene in a Jaguar SUV, but not before one of them recorded the incident. Authorities were soon alerted and, using the footage, tracked down the vehicle.
Ten minutes later, Steigelmann and one of the other suspects were arrested by police on the 1700 block of North 12th Street.
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Steigelmann was charged with impersonating a public servant, a crime under Pennsylvania law.
In response to the incident, Temple University issued a statement confirming Steigelmann’s interim suspension, with the potential for further disciplinary action, including expulsion.
The university also stressed that any students found responsible for similar behavior would face strict consequences under the Student Conduct Code.
“Impersonating law enforcement officers is a crime,” the university’s statement read. “This behavior and harassment of Temple community members will not be tolerated.”
The incident comes shortly after Temple University reassured students on January 29 that neither the university’s Department of Public Safety nor the Philadelphia Police Department had received any reports of ICE agents on campus.
Temple University Police (TUPD) and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) are continuing their investigation into the matter.
