A photo making waves online is sparking outrage and confusion after appearing to show an alleged ICE agent pointing what seems to be a paintball device at a woman “just for filming him.” The image, which first spread on X (formerly Twitter), was posted by political strategist Mike Nellis. He claimed it showed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Chicago “aiming a loaded weapon at a woman just for filming him as he hunts immigrants in broad daylight.”
The photo shows a masked man in tactical gear sitting inside a gray Jeep, pointing what looks like a rifle out the window. Nellis’ post quickly gained traction, drawing thousands of reactions across social media. It sparked heated debates about federal overreach, policing, and the authenticity of the image itself.
While many users expressed shock, others couldn’t help but mock the alleged agent’s appearance. One viral post from @Gourmetcasanova read, “The face of a scared little man acting like he’s cool. Someone knows him, call him out and let us all know!” But not everyone is convinced the photo is real. Another user, @giveu2tictacs, pointed out strange details in the image, specifically what appears to be an extra eye inside the gun’s scope, suggesting the image could be AI-generated or heavily edited. “This photo is AI. There is an extra eye of a person in the scope,” the user claimed, attaching a close-up zoom of the man’s face and weapon. Many other users have urged caution, noting that without a clear location, timestamp, or video evidence, the viral image remains unverified.
Inside Trump’s ICE Surge
Under President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration agenda, ICE has seen its largest expansion in over a decade, with record-setting arrest and deportation numbers. The agency has reportedly detained or deported more than half a million migrants in 2025 alone. This surge has been fueled by a $45 billion funding boost. It’s also driven by the rapid growth of the 287(g) program, which allows local police to act as federal immigration officers. Major cities like Chicago and Los Angeles have become flashpoints amid military-style raids, protests, and lawsuits over the legality of federal troop deployments. Operations like “Midway Blitz” in Chicago and mass detentions at factories and farms across the country have drawn national criticism, with opponents accusing ICE of overreach and racial profiling.
