How to Report Illegal ICE Enforcement to the California Attorney General and Federal Courts

Federal agents have broad authority to enforce immigration law. But that authority has limits. When ICE agents exceed those limits, whether through warrantless entry into private spaces, use of excessive force, racial profiling, or other unlawful conduct, you have the right to report it.

Since 2025, reports of aggressive and potentially unlawful enforcement tactics across California have increased significantly. Unmarked vehicles, appearance-based stops, and actions that communities have described as closer to abductions than lawful arrests have become more common.

In response, California has created specific tools for reporting illegal ICE enforcement, and federal courts remain an option for challenging constitutional violations.

What Counts as Illegal ICE Enforcement?

ICE agents must follow the Constitution and applicable laws when conducting enforcement operations.

Conduct that may be unlawful includes:

• Entering a private home without a judicial warrant or consent. Administrative warrants (Form I-200) do not authorize entry into a home. Only a warrant signed by a federal judge or magistrate does.
• Entering nonpublic areas of a workplace without a judicial warrant. Under California’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450), employers are prohibited from voluntarily allowing agents into restricted areas without a warrant.
• Using excessive force. Like all law enforcement, ICE agents are subject to constitutional limits on the use of force.
• Conducting stops or arrests based on race, ethnicity, or appearance. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable seizures, and racial profiling violates both constitutional and California state law.
• Failing to identify themselves as law enforcement. Agents operating in unmarked vehicles or plain clothes who do not identify themselves may be acting outside proper procedures.
• Arresting individuals at courthouses, schools, hospitals, or places of worship in ways that violate agency policy or constitutional protections.
• Denying access to an attorney after a person in custody has requested one.
• Coercing signatures on voluntary departure or removal documents without explaining the consequences.

Not every aggressive enforcement action is illegal. But a pattern of conduct that violates constitutional rights or exceeds statutory authority can and should be reported.

How to Report to the California Attorney General

In December 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom launched a dedicated online portal for Californians to report potentially unlawful conduct by federal agents.

What to Submit

The portal accepts:

• Written descriptions of the incident (what happened, when, and where)
• Photos and videos of the encounter
• Information about the agents involved (badge numbers, vehicle descriptions, agency identification)
• Contact information for witnesses

What to Know Before You Submit

• Reports are confidential. The Attorney General’s office treats submitted information as confidential.
• This is not a 911 replacement. If you are witnessing a crime in progress, call 911 or your local police department first.
• Submitting a report does not guarantee action. The Attorney General’s office uses reports to build a record of federal enforcement activity and inform potential legal action, but cannot represent individuals or provide legal advice.
• The portal does not handle immigration cases. If you need help with your immigration case, you will need to consult an immigration attorney separately.

Why Reporting Matters

Even if the Attorney General’s office does not act on an individual report, the information contributes to a broader record.

In January 2026, Attorney General Bonta issued guidance reminding state and local law enforcement that they have the authority to investigate potential state law crimes committed by federal agents. California has stated it is prepared to file charges for violations of the California Penal Code where the facts warrant it.

Multiple legal actions have already resulted from documented enforcement patterns, including lawsuits challenging unlawful immigration stops in the Central Valley and a multistate effort to block ICE and CBP from engaging in unlawful practices in Los Angeles.

How to Report to Federal Agencies

The DHS Office of Inspector General is supposed to investigate misconduct by ICE, CBP, and other DHS employees. You can also file a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which reviews allegations of civil rights violations.

Be aware that these offices operate under the current administration. Still, filing creates an official record that can be referenced in future legal proceedings.

How to Challenge Illegal Enforcement in Federal Court

For individuals who have experienced direct constitutional violations, a federal court may be an option.

Habeas Corpus Petitions

If someone is being held in custody and believes their rights were violated during arrest or processing, an attorney can file a habeas corpus petition in a federal district court. This asks the court to review whether the government is lawfully holding the person.

Habeas petitions have been used to challenge:

• Expedited removal orders issued without proper credible fear screening
• Prolonged custody without a bond hearing
• Enforcement actions that violated due process

Section 1983 and Bivens Claims

Individuals whose constitutional rights were violated by federal agents may have grounds to file a civil rights lawsuit. These cases are complex and typically require an attorney experienced in federal civil rights litigation.

Class Action and Systemic Challenges

Organizations like the ACLU, National Immigration Law Center, and American Immigration Council have filed multiple systemic challenges to enforcement practices. If your experience is part of a broader pattern, connecting with these organizations may amplify the impact of your report.

How to Document an ICE Enforcement Action

Whether you are a witness or directly affected, documentation is critical. The stronger your evidence, the more useful it is to attorneys, advocacy organizations, and government agencies reviewing complaints.

During the encounter:

• If it is safe to do so, record video on your phone. In California, you have the right to record law enforcement officers performing their duties in public.
• Note the time, date, and exact location of the encounter.
• Try to identify the agents: look for badge numbers, vehicle license plates, and agency markings.
• Identify any witnesses and get their contact information if possible.

After the encounter:

• Write down everything you remember as soon as possible. Details fade quickly.
• Save all photos, videos, and recordings in multiple locations (cloud storage and a physical device).
• Contact an immigration attorney or legal aid organization.
• File a report with the California Attorney General’s portal.
• If you were injured, seek medical attention and document your injuries with photographs and medical records.

Reporting Illegal ICE Enforcement Protects Everyone

The U.S. immigration system gives enormous power to enforcement agencies. When that power is exercised without accountability, everyone suffers. Reporting is not just about individual cases. It builds the record that courts, legislators, and the public need to hold enforcement agencies accountable.

If you witnessed something that did not look right, report it through the California Attorney General’s portal.

If you need legal assistance, contact an immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation.