California is seeing an increase in ICE agent impersonators, AG says. How to spot fakes

María G. Ortiz-Briones, The Sacramento Bee on Mar 18, 2025

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Reports of people impersonating U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents have risen across the state, according to California Attorney General’s Office.

Last month two fake ICE agents wore tactical vests and body-worn cameras harassing Fresno shoppers and businesses just weeks after Border Patrol raids in the Central Valley. The two men were arrested by the Fresno Police Department for impersonating a police officer, a misdemeanor.

“We have received reports of individuals looking to take advantage of the fear and uncertainty created by President Trump’s inhumane mass deportation policies,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement Tuesday.

Advocates in the Central Valley say immigrants are more susceptible to scams and fraud amid fears of mass deportations, falling prey to false promises of adjusting their legal status by notarios and tax preparers who are not immigration attorneys or accredited to provide legal services.

In Hispanic countries, notarios publicos are highly trained legal professionals akin to attorneys who provide legal advice and draft legal documents.

Valeria Solorio, protection and legal affairs consul at the Consulate of Mexico in Fresno, said that they try to educate undocumeted immigrants on the difference between notaries in the U.S and a notario publico in Mexico because they don’t have the same legal capacities.

In the United States, notaries are state-commissioned officials with narrow witnessing duties and much less discretion. Many unethical individuals exploit the confusion over these different roles to take advantage of unsuspecting immigrants.

The nonprofit Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC) has an immigration legal services directory that includes a list of nonprofit community organizations that offer a broad range of immigration-related services in the Central Valley.

Bonta’s office would not say which parts of the state have seen the highest number of reported ICE agent impersonations because the complaints they receive “are considered confidential investigative records of the attorney general.”

Bonta said those who try to scam or take advantage of immigrant communities will be held accountable.

“My office will continue to ensure our laws are fully enforced and the rights of California’s immigrants are respected and protected,” Bonta said. “I encourage anyone who is the witness to or victim of an immigration scam to report it.”

This week Bonta reminded Californians immigrants to take steps to protect themselves and better understand their rights and protections under the law.

The Attorney General’s Office has also released guidance to assist law enforcement, prosecutors, and public institutions in complying with state law.

The California Attorney General’s Office listed tips on how to avoid scams. They include:

• Do not give money or personal information to anyone who calls, texts, or emails you claiming that there is a problem with your immigration matter. Immigration officers will not ask for money or financial information. Immigration officers will not typically call to warn immigrants that they are going to be detained or arrested.

• Do not sign anything until you understand what you are signing. Do not agree to anything that is not put in writing and in a language you understand.

• Do not hire an immigration consultant or a notary. Only lawyers, accredited representatives, and recognized organizations can give you legal advice or represent you in immigration court. Immigration consultants – who may call themselves immigration experts, notarios, notaries public, or paralegals – cannot do so.

• Do not sign an immigration form that includes incorrect information or blanks. Before you sign any immigration forms, be sure that the forms are fully and accurately filled out. Don’t let anyone convince you to lie on a form or sign a blank form.

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