California launched a new online portal on Wednesday that allows the public to report suspected unlawful activity by federal agents operating in the state.
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the tool, which enables users to upload photos, videos and other information directly to the California Department of Justice.
Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents has drawn increasing scrutiny as the Trump administration carries out widespread arrests and deportations. Critics cite reports of racial profiling, denial of due process and aggressive operations involving masked officers in cities such as Los Angeles. Immigrant rights groups say they have documented cases of agents entering homes without proper warrants, detaining people without clear justification and using force in ways they argue are unnecessary.
Federal officials maintain that their operations are lawful and focused on individuals who pose public safety risks, but critics contend the scope of enforcement has broadened significantly, sweeping up people with no criminal histories and deepening distrust in immigrant communities.
What To Know
State officials describe the portal as a mechanism for documenting incidents in which federal officers may be overstepping their authority, including allegations of excessive force, unlawful detentions, improper searches or actions that appear to violate constitutional protections.
While federal agents have wide latitude to enforce federal law, California leaders said that such authority did not exempt them from following the law themselves. The new reporting system, they argue, gives residents a concrete channel to flag potential abuses and contribute evidence that could influence future legal or policy responses by the state.
Concerns over federal enforcement practices have prompted states to take independent action. New York launched a public reporting portal, and Illinois created the independent Accountability Commission that gathers evidence, collects testimony on federal agent conduct and recommends potential state responses. Both states have encouraged residents to document immigration operations, reflecting a broader effort to monitor federal enforcement more closely.
Across the country, residents have increasingly used their phones to monitor the movements of federal immigration agents and to record enforcement activity.
The Trump administration is coordinating multiple federal agencies to conduct mass deportations, drawing on resources from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ICE, DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to carry out large-scale removal operations.
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a news release: “We’re not going to stand by while anyone—including federal agents—abuses their authority in California. This new portal gives Californians an easy and safe way to speak up, share what they see, and help us hold people accountable. No one is above the law.”
Attorney General Rob Bonta said: “The Trump Administration is engaging in a campaign of terror and fear that has left some California communities scared to go about their daily lives. From unmarked military-style vehicles to detainments that more closely resemble kidnappings, Californians are rightly concerned that federal agents may be crossing the line and abusing their authority. The President’s actions these past 10 months only lend support to this conclusion.
“Let me be clear: Federal agents can enforce federal laws, and no one should interfere with them doing their job. But they must also do so lawfully and in compliance with the Constitution. If you believe a federal agent is acting unlawfully, you can report it to my office at oag.ca.gov/report-misconduct.”
What Happens Next
More blue states could join New York, Illinois and California in their efforts to document instances of alleged misconduct.
