ICE AUDIT: Harder Demands Updates on Stockton ICE Operations in New Letter to Acting Director

Harder held oversight inspection at local facility in January, announced key reforms to rein in ICE

New letter demands details on current operations, updates on legally-required identification, warrant orders

WASHINGTON – Last week, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) escalated efforts to rein in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency by announcing a new audit of ICE operations in the Valley. Following his oversight inspection of the Stockton ICE facility in January, Harder sent a letter to ICE Acting Director David Venturella demanding answers about local detainments, uses of force, and current operations, as well as compliance with legally-required orders and department policies. 

ICE is out of control in the Valley and across the country:

• Violent Operations – Last fall, dozens of people were detained at the Stockton ICE facility and demonstrators have been maced in response to community oversight efforts. Since then, ICE has continued violent operations in the Valley and across the country, which most recently led to fatal shootings in Texas and Maine.
• Illegal Policies – Despite court orders and new policies, ICE continues to conduct unlawful warrantless operations, ignore body camera mandates, and obscure identification. 
• Resistance to Oversight – During Harder’s oversight visit, local personnel refused to answer basic questions about conditions, detainments and transfers, and ongoing enforcement activity operating out of the Stockton ICE facility.

“ICE's continued failure to provide basic information to either the public or Congress directly harms our community, frustrates Congress's constitutional oversight responsibilities, and leaves my constituents without answers about actions that have profoundly affected their families and community,” wrote Rep. Harder in the letter. “My constituents deserve clarity and accountability from the federal government. I look forward to your prompt response.”

Harder’s letter demands direct answers by July 28, 2026:

• Oversight Visit – Complete written responses to questions provided in writing and in-person to personnel at the Stockton ICE facility.
• Community Concerns– Past, current, and upcoming enforcement activities, as well as details on access to counsel, food, water, medical care, interpretation services, and accommodations for children during detainments at the local facility.
• Policy Compliance– Current policies used by agents operating out of the Stockton ICE facility regarding unmarked vehicles, activities near schools and other locations used by children, and compliance with legally-required court orders and federally-mandated policies.

Read the full letter here.

Harder has been pushing for reforms at ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for months, including leading successful calls for former Secretary Kristi Noem’s firing. Following her departure, Harder demanded the new Secretary Markwayne Mullin prioritize clear standards for enforcement, bans on face coverings, mandatory identification, new use-of-force policies, and bans on racial profiling. Harder has also continued to oppose any new federal funding for ICE until these reforms are enacted.

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