California’s top officials are escalating their scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement, announcing Tuesday a new mechanism allowing residents to report potential misconduct by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and National Guard units within the state.
This initiative comes as Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have openly criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for what they describe as “campaigns of terror and fear” in enforcing federal immigration laws. Federal agents are being characterized by these officials not merely as law enforcers but also as potential actors crossing legal or constitutional boundaries.
The new, live portal directs the public to report “potentially unlawful activity,” such as detainments described as resembling kidnappings, involving unmarked military-style vehicles, which have allegedly created an environment of intimidation and fear among California residents. The state leaders argue that federal agents must comply strictly with lawful procedures in their work.
Governor Newsom emphasized that individuals should not assume federal agents are exempt from legal accountability within California’s jurisdiction, stating unequivocally, “This new portal gives Californians an easy and safe way to speak up… help us hold people accountable.” This stance aligns with a broader $50 million allocation previously made by the state for filing legal actions against federal bodies.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli was tasked to comment on these developments from within the judiciary itself, appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr (now Pamela Bondi). Responding via official communications channels, Essayli dismissed California’s portal as ineffective intimidation tactics designed to hinder federal operations in the state.
