How to find out what local police share with immigration agents

This page is for groups investigating local policy. It is general information, not legal advice. It does not cover what to do if an officer stops you; for that, see Does California law stop local police from helping ICE? and Can ICE get my information from the DMV, police, cameras or other agencies?

You don't have to guess what your local agencies do. Much of it is public, and the law is on your side when you ask.

What does California allow local police to share?

The short version, so you know what to look for:

• Holds: local agencies may not keep someone in jail on an ICE hold request (Gov. Code 7284.6).
• Release dates: may be given only if the information is public or in limited cases the law allows (Gov. Code 7284.6(a)(1)(C); 7282.5). Responses are never required.
• Home and work addresses: may not be shared for immigration enforcement unless public.
• Acting as immigration agents, including under 287(g): not allowed.
• License plate reader data: may be shared only with other public agencies (Civil Code 1798.90.55).

Exceptions exist. The records you request will show how your agency uses them.

What can we find without filing a request?

1. Posted policies. Since 2020, every local law enforcement agency must post on its website all current policies, procedures and training materials that would be public under the Public Records Act (Penal Code 13650). Look for sections on immigration, foreign nationals, the Values Act, the TRUTH Act, task forces and license plate readers.

2. License plate reader policy. Agencies that run license plate readers must have a usage and privacy policy and post it on their website (Civil Code 1798.90.51). It must say who can use the data and how it is shared.

3. The state's task force report. Each year, agencies report to the California Department of Justice on federal task forces they belong to, including total arrests and arrests for immigration enforcement. The Attorney General posts the statewide report (Gov. Code 7284.6(c) and (d)). For 2025, task forces reported 16,613 arrests, and 300 for immigration enforcement (DOJ, California Values Act Report 2025). The posted report gives statewide totals; ask your agency for its own submission.

4. The TRUTH Act forum. If a local agency gave ICE access to anyone in the past year, the county or city must hold a public forum the next year, with at least 30 days' notice. The agency may present data on how many people it gave ICE access to, their demographics, the dates, and whether access was through a hold, transfer or notification request (Gov. Code 7283.1(d)). Watch your Board of Supervisors' and City Council's agendas.

5. Local ordinances and news releases. San Mateo County passed a non cooperation ordinance in April 2023 and strengthened it in November 2025 (county news). Search your county and city sites.

Who can make a Public Records Act request?

Anyone. You don't have to live in the city, be a citizen or say why you want the records. The law does not allow an agency to limit access based on your purpose (Gov. Code 7921.300). You can also inspect records in person during office hours (Gov. Code 7922.525).

Many groups send requests in the organization's name rather than a person's, and use a group email. That keeps individuals out of the spotlight.

The TRUTH Act makes ICE records public. All records about ICE access given by local agencies, including all communication with ICE, are public records under the Public Records Act. The agency may redact personal identifying information (Gov. Code 7283.1(c)).

What should we ask for?

Ask for specific records, for a specific period, from a specific agency. Agencies must help you shape a focused request (Gov. Code 7922.600).

From the sheriff or police department

• Records of ICE access to people in custody: counts, dates, and whether through a hold, notification or transfer request (named in 7283.1(c))
• All emails, texts and letters with ICE or Homeland Security Investigations about immigration enforcement
• ICE hold, notification and transfer requests received, and the agency's responses
• TRUTH Act consent forms used, and how many people signed or declined
• Agreements, memoranda of understanding and task force agreements with any federal agency
• The agency's annual Values Act reports to the Department of Justice
• License plate reader sharing lists and audit logs showing which agencies received data
• Training materials on the Values Act and TRUTH Act

From the county or city

• Materials prepared for the TRUTH Act forum
• Contracts or payments involving ICE or immigration detention

Tips

• Use a date range (for example, January 1, 2025 to today).
• Ask for electronic copies, which avoid printing fees.
• Ask for data in a spreadsheet when it exists.
• Send a separate request to each agency.

How do we send it?

1. Find the agency's records portal or records email. Some agencies use an online portal. If not, email the records unit or the agency head.
2. Put it in writing. Writing gives you a date stamp and a paper trail.
3. Use the sample below. Keep it short and specific.
4. Calendar the deadlines. 10 days for a response, plus up to 14 more if the agency sends written notice of unusual circumstances (Gov. Code 7922.535).
5. Keep a log of every message, call and date.

What happens after we ask?

Within 10 days, the agency must tell you whether it has disclosable records, why or why not, and when it will make them available. It may extend that once, by up to 14 days, in writing, for reasons like searching other facilities or reviewing large volumes (Gov. Code 7922.535). The 10 days is for the decision. Records may arrive later, on a rolling basis, but the agency must make them available promptly.

You pay only the direct cost of duplication, unless a statute sets a different fee (Gov. Code 7922.530).

What if they delay or deny?

• Ask for the denial in writing. A denial must be written and name the people responsible for it (Gov. Code 7922.540). The agency must justify withholding any record.
• Narrow or clarify. Offer a smaller date range or fewer record types. Ask for the parts that can be released; reasonably segregable portions must be made available (Gov. Code 7922.525).
• Follow up politely and in writing after each deadline.
• Go to your elected officials. Supervisors and council members can ask about delays.
• Go to court as a last step. Anyone can file in superior court to enforce the right to records. If you win, the court must award court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, paid by the agency (Gov. Code 7923.000; 7923.115). Talk to a lawyer or a First Amendment or civil rights group first.

What about federal records?

ICE is a federal agency. The California Public Records Act does not reach it. To ask ICE or the Department of Homeland Security directly, use the federal Freedom of Information Act. Since January 22, 2026, DHS takes FOIA requests online only (DNLH checked this in October 2026). Expect long waits.

What do we do with what we find?

• Read carefully and check the dates. Policies change. Note which version you have.
• Protect people's privacy. Even redacted records can identify someone in a small community. Don't post names, booking photos or case numbers.
• Share what you learned in plain language with your community, and bring questions to the TRUTH Act forum or a candidate forum.
• Think the law was broken? See what to do in Does California law stop local police from helping ICE?

What mistakes should we avoid?

• Asking for "everything about immigration." Overbroad requests get delayed. Name records and dates.
• Putting a vulnerable person's name on the request. Use your organization.
• Missing the deadline math. Calendar day 10 and day 24.
• Assuming silence means no records. Follow up in writing.
• Publishing raw records with personal details.

Questions people ask

Do we need a lawyer to file a request? No. A lawyer helps if you have to go to court.

Can an undocumented person file a request? The law lets any person request records and does not allow limits based on purpose. Groups often file in the organization's name for privacy.

Can the agency charge for staff time? The law sets the fee at the direct cost of duplication unless a statute says otherwise.

Can we ask for help reading the records? A legal aid group or a local journalist can help you understand what you got.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours and services. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service. Details checked October 19 to 21, 2026.

• California Department of Justice, immigrant contact: immigration@doj.ca.gov (oag.ca.gov/immigrant).
• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA): 650-326-6440, for low income residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties (CLSEPA).
• Rapid response networks: the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice keeps a statewide list. See How to report ICE activity.

Is there a sample request I can print?

Asking is a right, and it works best when many neighbors ask together. Start with one request and see what comes back.