(Image Credit: IMAGN) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehend an undocumented migrant they were surveilling in Herndon, Va., Jan. 15, 2025.
California – California officials are warning residents about a disturbing rise in people impersonating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, preying on immigrants’ fears in the wake of mass deportation policies.
The California Attorney General’s Office reported an increase in these incidents across the state, with a particularly alarming case last month in Fresno, where two men—dressed in tactical vests and wearing body cameras—harassed shoppers and business owners while posing as ICE agents. The Fresno Police Department arrested them for impersonating law enforcement, a misdemeanor.
Attorney General Rob Bonta directly linked these scams to immigration crackdowns.
“We have received reports of individuals looking to take advantage of the fear and uncertainty created by President Trump’s inhumane mass deportation policies,” Bonta said in a statement Tuesday.
Advocates in California’s Central Valley, where many immigrants work in agriculture, say that this climate of fear has made immigrant communities especially vulnerable—not just to fake ICE agents, but also to fraudulent legal services.
One common scam involves notarios—individuals posing as immigration experts who falsely promise to help with legal status adjustments. In many Latin American countries, a notario público is a highly trained legal professional. But in the United States, notaries have limited authority, mainly witnessing document signings.
“The confusion is significant,” said Valeria Solorio, a legal affairs consul at the Consulate of Mexico in Fresno. “Many undocumented immigrants don’t realize that a notary here doesn’t have the same legal capacities as a notario público in Mexico.”
To combat these scams, nonprofits like the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC) are providing free legal resources and directories of legitimate organizations offering immigration services.
The Attorney General’s Office also issued new guidance this week to help Californians avoid falling victim to scams. Officials emphasized key points, including:
- Never give money or personal information to someone claiming there’s a problem with your immigration case—real immigration officers won’t ask for payment.
- ICE will not call ahead to warn individuals they’re about to be detained.
- Don’t sign any documents you don’t fully understand, especially if they contain incorrect or blank information.
- Avoid hiring immigration consultants or notarios—only licensed attorneys or accredited representatives can provide legal immigration services.
Bonta vowed that California will hold scammers accountable.
“My office will continue to ensure our laws are fully enforced and the rights of California’s immigrants are respected and protected,” he said. “I encourage anyone who is the witness to or victim of an immigration scam to report it.”
