Federal Court Bars ICE from Impersonating Police in Southern California Home Arrests

A federal court settlement approved this week bars ICE officers in Southern California from impersonating local law enforcement or using deceptive tactics during home arrests. The settlement, resulting from a 2020 class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of immigrants and immigrant rights groups, prohibits ICE agents from misrepresenting their identity or purpose, such as posing as police or probation officers or falsely claiming issues with residents' vehicles to lure them outside. It applies to ICE’s Los Angeles Field Office jurisdiction, covering seven counties including Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside. The settlement also requires officers to clearly identify themselves as ICE when wearing gear marked "POLICE," and mandates new training on Fourth Amendment protections. Advocates emphasize the settlement as critical for protecting community trust and constitutional rights amid concerns of unlawful home raids and family separations. The ACLU and immigrant rights organizations vow to monitor compliance to ensure ICE respects residents' rights going forward.