Yesterday, January 22, 2026, folks in Honolulu’s Makiki neighborhood were taken aback when they spotted flyers on utility poles that claimed to be from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These notices warned about immigration enforcement and asked people to show proof of citizenship or legal status.
Something felt off right away: the messages had poor grammar and strange wording, which made people question their authenticity.
By midday, online reports confirmed what many had already suspected — the flyers were fake. ICE hadn’t put them out, and there was no enforcement operation planned for the area. Authorities reminded everyone that federal agencies don’t hand out anonymous warning notices in neighborhoods.
Residents shared their thoughts: the initial shock quickly turned into frustration. Many banded together to take down the bogus flyers and inform their neighbors about the truth, transforming a confusing situation into a moment of community action.
This incident is a good reminder to stay alert, check information online, and look out for each other in the community.