Can ICE get my information from the DMV, police, cameras or other agencies?

This page is about records and data. For whether local police can help ICE in person, see Does California law stop local police from helping ICE?. This is general information, not legal advice.

Why does this matter now?

We know this is scary. Since 2025, federal agencies have asked states and other agencies for records they did not ask for before. Some requests were blocked in court. Some went through. The rules are different for each agency, so a single answer does not work. The good news: you can still get most of what you need while sharing only what each form requires.

What can the DMV share?

Your AB 60 papers are protected. The documents you show to prove identity and California residency for an AB 60 license are not public records. The DMV may release them only for a criminal subpoena, a court order, or a written request for an urgent health or safety need, and immigration enforcement does not count as an urgent need (Vehicle Code 12801.9(j)). An AB 60 license also cannot be used as evidence of your status (12801.9).

Your address is confidential, but not from every agency. State law keeps residence addresses in DMV records private, except for a court, a law enforcement agency or "other government agency" (Vehicle Code 1808.21). That exception is wide, and the law does not carve out immigration agencies. If your DMV address worries you, talk with a lawyer before you apply or update it.

A new national system has limits. In July 2026, California passed SB 169. It lets the DMV join a national system states use to check each other's license records. Unless federal law requires it, the DMV may not share through that system whether you hold an AB 60 license, or your address or photo. Read more on Driver's license without papers.

Federal agencies have tried to get bulk driver data. News reports say that in August 2026, the Department of Homeland Security subpoenaed the national DMV clearinghouse for commercial driver's license records on about 17 million people, for civil immigration enforcement (CalMatters, September 3, 2026). California said it opposed the release and had not given the bulk data. A federal judge in Virginia blocked the transfer, first in August and then with a preliminary injunction on September 17, 2026, according to news reports (CCJ, September 22, 2026). These are news reports, not the court orders.

What can police databases show ICE?

ICE "warrants" now sit in a national police database. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center reports that in February 2025, the federal government added more than 700,000 ICE administrative warrants to the FBI's national crime database (NCIC) (ILRC, July 2025). These are civil forms signed by ICE officers, not by judges.

California police may not act on them for ICE. The Values Act bars state and local police from arresting people on civil immigration warrants, holding people for ICE, and sharing nonpublic home or work addresses for immigration enforcement, with some exceptions (Gov. Code 7284.6). It covers state and local police, including school police, and does not bind federal agents (Gov. Code 7284.4).

Some information can still be shared. Federal law says no state or local rule may stop an agency from sharing a person's citizenship or immigration status with ICE (8 U.S.C. 1373). Courts read that narrowly, to cover status but not release dates or addresses (AG bulletin 2025-DLE-03, p. 8). Police may also give criminal history, including from the state's CLETS system, when state law allows (2025-DLE-03, p. 6). Fingerprints taken at an arrest can reach federal databases. If you are ever arrested, read Not a citizen and arrested in California.

Can license plate cameras send my location to ICE?

Local agencies may not share it. California law says a public agency may not sell, share or transfer license plate reader data except to another public agency (Civil Code 1798.90.55(b)). "Public agency" means the state and California cities, counties and their agencies, including police (Civil Code 1798.90.5). The Attorney General says that means no sharing with federal or out of state police, and in October 2025 he sued the City of El Cajon for sharing anyway (AG, October 3, 2025).

The limit has edges. The rule is written for California public agencies. It does not stop federal agencies from running their own cameras. If you think your city is sharing camera data, you can ask your city council, and see What your city and county can do to protect immigrant neighbors.

Can ICE get my Medi-Cal or CalFresh information?

Medi-Cal: some basic data, for some people. The state's health agency says a federal court ruled on December 29, 2025 that the federal Medicaid agency (CMS) may share limited information with ICE about people who are not lawfully residing in the U.S.: status, address, phone, date of birth and Medicaid ID (DHCS). Sensitive health records are protected. If that data cannot be separated from data on citizens and permanent residents, CMS may not share it. The lawsuit continues. DHCS also says canceling Medi-Cal now does not erase information already sent.

CalFresh: blocked in court so far. California and other states sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture over its demands for food aid recipients' data. The court issued a preliminary injunction on October 15, 2025 and expanded it on February 26, 2026, barring USDA from cutting SNAP funds over states' refusal to hand over the data (Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse, California v. USDA). The case is ongoing. To learn whether using benefits can hurt an immigration case, see Will using benefits like CalFresh hurt my immigration case?.

Can ICE get my tax information?

In 2025, the IRS and ICE signed an agreement to share some taxpayer information for criminal immigration cases. ICE asked for about 1.28 million last known addresses, and the IRS disclosed 47,289 (CRS, September 17, 2026). Courts have split: one federal court blocked ICE from using the data it got, and an appeals court in Washington refused to block the agreement itself. Before you file, read Is it safe to file taxes with an ITIN right now?.

What about USCIS, schools and other agencies?

• USCIS and ICE are both part of DHS. What you send USCIS can be shared inside DHS. Since February 2025, USCIS issues a Notice to Appear after many denials when a person is not lawfully present; DACA is the main carve out (USCIS PM-602-0187). For DACA files, see Can my DACA application information be shared with ICE?.
• Colleges and the Dream Act form: see Can ICE get my college records?.
• Therapists and doctors: see Will my therapist share my information with immigration?.
• ICE subpoenas to anyone: ICE officers can issue their own subpoenas for records, without a judge. If someone refuses, ICE must go to federal court to force it (8 CFR 287.4). Agencies, landlords and employers can ask a lawyer before they answer.
• Social media: what you post publicly can be seen by anyone, including federal agencies that review social media for some applications (ILRC, June 5, 2026).

So should I still apply for things?

For most people, yes. Driving with a license, getting health care, feeding your kids and filing taxes all protect your family. The honest trade is this: the more risk you already have, the more you should get advice first. Talk to a lawyer before you apply if you:

• have a deportation order, even an old one
• have an open criminal case or a past arrest
• once used another name or false papers
• are not sure what your status is

How can I protect my information?

1. Share only what the form asks. Leave optional boxes blank.
2. Keep copies of everything you submit, with the date.
3. Use one address you trust for mail, and keep it current with the agencies that must have it.
4. Never pay someone to "erase" records. No one can. See Warning signs of an immigration scam.
5. Make a family plan now, so a records problem never becomes a child care crisis. See Make a family preparedness plan.

Questions people ask

If I cancel Medi-Cal, does my information disappear? No. DHCS says canceling does not erase data already sent (DHCS). Ask a lawyer before you drop coverage you need.

Does an AB 60 license tell police I am undocumented? It cannot be used as evidence of status, and discrimination for holding one is banned (12801.9).

What if a local agency shares my data illegally? Write down what happened and report it to the Attorney General at immigration@doj.ca.gov (AG).

Will reporting a crime put me on ICE's radar? See Can I report a crime without being reported to ICE.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Anywhere in the United States: the DOJ List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers
• Anywhere in California: state funded immigration legal services through the California Department of Social Services (its page links to a provider list), and your county's line on the CCIJ rapid response list
• San Mateo and Santa Clara county residents: Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, 650-326-6440 (CLSEPA)
• San Mateo County residents: Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City, free first consultation, (650) 587-1558 (IIBA)
• More: Free legal help in the Bay Area

Knowing where your information goes is power. Use it to choose, not to hide from help you are owed.