US State Lawmakers Push New Bills Allowing Lawsuits Against ICE Agents

Lawmakers in several Democratic‑led U.S. states are advancing bills that would let people sue federal immigration agents, including ICE officers, in state courts for alleged civil rights violations.

The proposals aim to create a state‑level right to seek damages from individual federal officers accused of excessive force, unlawful searches, or wrongful arrests during immigration enforcement.

Illinois has already enacted such a law, becoming the first state to open this kind of legal pathway, while California, New York, Virginia, Maryland, and Connecticut are considering similar measures. In California, the so‑called “No Kings Act” has cleared the state Senate and would allow people to bring civil rights claims against ICE and other federal agents directly in state court.

Supporters, including Democratic legislators and civil‑rights advocates, argue these steps are needed to close what they call an “accountability gap,” saying it is far harder to sue federal agents than state or local police. The push has intensified after controversial ICE operations and fatal enforcement incidents in Minneapolis, which sparked protests and renewed scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics.

The Trump administration has sharply criticized the state initiatives, and the U.S. Justice Department has already filed a lawsuit to block Illinois’ law, arguing it violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause by interfering with federal authority. Legal experts say the emerging clash between states and Washington could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially reshaping how and where victims can hold federal officers personally liable for civil rights violations.