Sylvia Ontaneda-Bernales, Immigration Attorney

01/24/2026

THERE ARE LEGAL REMEDIES FOR ANYONE ATTACKED BY ICE

Individuals who have been physically assaulted, traumatized, or had their property vandalized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have access to legal resources and avenues for recourse, regardless of their immigration status. While suing federal agents directly is difficult, mechanisms exist to hold the federal government accountable. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Here are the primary legal resources and steps for individuals in these situations:
1. Legal Avenues for Seeking Damages and Accountability

• Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA): This is a key mechanism for suing the federal government for monetary damages when federal employees—including ICE agents—cause bodily injury, wrongful death, or property damage (such as vandalism during a raid).
• Bivens Actions: In limited circumstances, individuals can sue federal agents personally for violating their constitutional rights (e.g., Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches).
• Administrative Complaints: Complaints can be filed with the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) for misconduct (1-833-4ICE-OPR).
• Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL): Complaints regarding civil rights abuses, including excessive force, can be filed with the DHS CRCL. [3, 5, 6, 7]

2. Legal Aid and Advocacy Organizations
Many organizations provide free or low-cost legal representation to victims of ICE misconduct:

• Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR): Known for filing complaints on behalf of families subjected to brutality, excessive force, and property damage.
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Provides resources to defend against rights violations, including illegal searches and seizures.
• National Immigration Law Center (NILC): Offers resources for filing civil rights complaints.
• Immigrant Defense Project (IDP): Offers "Know Your Rights" booklets and legal information.
• Local Legal Aid Offices: Local nonprofits often provide free legal services to immigrants, regardless of status. [7, 11, 12, 13, 14]

3. Immediate Protections and Support

• Right to Remain Silent: Even if undocumented, individuals have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer questions about their status or birthplace.
• Right to a Judicial Warrant: ICE cannot enter a home without a valid warrant signed by a judge or magistrate.
• Medical and Psychological Support: Victims of trauma can seek assistance through local legal aid, which often partners with NGOs to provide services for survivors of crime and abuse.
• Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office: Provides support to victims of crimes, though primarily focused on crimes committed by non-citizens, it serves as a resource for support. [4, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]

Important Considerations

• Evidence is Critical: It is important to document everything: take photos of vandalized property, document injuries, and record badge numbers if possible.
• Statute of Limitations: There are strict deadlines for filing FTCA claims (usually two years for administrative claims).
• Don't Sign Anything: If detained, do not sign any documents (especially voluntary departure) before speaking with an attorney. [17, 20]

Disclaimer: The information above is for informational purposes based on search results and does not constitute legal advice.

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-options-victims-crime
[2] https://www.ice.gov/prea
[3] https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/why-it-is-difficult-sue-ice-agents-2026-01-15/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28mkEdppO2s
[5] https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/when-ice-agents-break-the-law-can-victims-sue-the-supreme-court-hints-yes-will-the-eleventh-circuit-listen/
[6] https://www.ice.gov/contact
[7]https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/civil-rights-complaint-form-2010-04.pdf
[8] https://www.epicfoundation.org.za/web/people-making-a-difference.asp
[9] https://federal-criminal.com/sentencing/victim-rights-in-us-federal-restitution-enforcement-procedures/
[10] https://www.respicio.ph/dear-attorney/comprehensive-guidance-on-filing-a-scam-report-under-philippine-law
[11]https://accesstojustice.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/11/Legal-Resources-Guide-2.0-002-6.pdf
[12] https://lawyersforcivilrights.org/our-impact/immigrant-rights/complaint-filed-after-ice-smashes-car-window/
[13] https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/know-your-rights-with-ice/
[14] https://ktla.com/news/california/ice-raids-what-are-your-rights-when-approached-by-an-immigration-officer/
[15] https://bell.house.gov/knowyourrights
[16] https://www.ice.gov/voice
[17] https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-when-confronted-ice-flyer
[18] https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/legal-services
[19] https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-when-confronted-ice-flyer
[20] https://mitchthelawyer.substack.com/p/how-to-sue-ice-agents-when-your-rights

U.S. law provides protections for legal and undocumented immigrants who have been crime victims: domestic violence, certain crimes, and human trafficking.

11/13/2025

What US benefits are immigrants entitled to receive?

10/27/2025

CAN YOU PASS THE NEW CITIZENSHIP TEST?
Only if you answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly (there are 128 questions in the bank; this is a sample).
(ESPAÑOL en los comentarios.)

1. What is the purpose of the Federalist Papers? To explain the US Constitution and encourage its ratification.
2. Who is known as the father of the US Constitution? James Madison.
3. What is one important thing that Alexander Hamilton did? He was the first secretary of the Treasury and helped write the Federalist papers.
4. What is the 10th Amendment about? Powers not given to the federal government belong to the state.
5. What is the supremacy clause of the US Constitution? It says the US Constitution and the federal laws are the highest laws of the land.
6. Why did the Americans fight the British in the Revolutionary War? Because of high taxes and lack of self-government.
7. What does the judicial branch do? Reviews laws and resolves disputes.
8. What is one power that the federal government has? Print money, make treaties or declare war.
9. Give one example of the checks and balances of the US Constitution. The president can veto a law and Congress can override the veto.
10. Name the three branches of the federal government and why we have it. Executive, legislative, and judicial. And we have it so not one branch becomes all too powerful.
11. What are the major political ideologies of the United States today? Liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican.
12. What does the Bill of Rights do? It protects the basic rights of the people.
13. What is the purpose of the pledge of allegiance? gives loyalty to the United States and to the US flag.
14. What was the Louisiana purchase? The United States bought land from France in 1803 and doubled the size of the United States.
15. What movement tried to end racial discrimination? The civil rights movement.
16. Name two ways Americans can participate in democracy. Vote, volunteer, contact an elected official, join a civic group, run for office.
17. What is one promise you make when you become a US citizen? To obey the laws of the United States and the US Constitution.
18. Why is it important to pay your taxes? Taxes fund government services like our defense, schools, roads.
19. What are the colors of the US flag and what do they represent? Red for courage, white for purity, blue for justice.
20. Why is the declaration of independence important? It announced our independence from Great Britain and announced that all people are created equal.

10/08/2025

ICE puede interrogar, inspeccionar, detener, y arrestar a cualquier persona (ya sea inmigrante o ciudadana/o) dentro de las 100 millas alrededor de los EEUU, inclusive Alaska, y violar los derechos humanos y civiles de esas personas sin mayores consecuencias para los agentes del gobierno.

10/03/2025

CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS NO LONGER ACCEPTED BY USCIS BEGINNING OCTOBER 28, 2025.
Payments will have to be made by completed and signed authorization for ACH Transactions (form G-1650) or authorization for credit card transactions (form G-1450).

LA USCIS YA NO ACEPTARÁ CHEQUES NI GIROS POSTALES DESDE EL 28 DE OCTUBRE, 2025.
Los pagos deberán realizarse mediante autorización completada y firmada para las transacciones de ACH (formulario G-1650) o autorización para transacciones con tarjeta de crédito (formulario G-1450).

09/26/2025

Si tiene planes de visitar los Estados Unidos en el futuro, prepárese para ser entrevistado y para pagar más por su visa; también, espere más demoras en las embajadas y consulados de los Estados Unidos.

Si vous prévoyez de visiter les États-Unis à l'avenir, soyez prêt à être interviewé et à payer davantage pour votre visa ; attendez-vous également à une attente plus longue dans les ambassades et consulats des États-Unis.

If you plan to visit the US in the future, be prepared to be interviewed and pay more for your visa; also, expect a longer wait at US embassies and consulates.

New US Visa Rules in 2025: How Mandatory In-Person Interviews and Higher Fees Will Affect Global Travel - Travel And Tour World

09/10/2025

EN EL AEROPUERTO
Cuando te detienen en el aeropuerto, entras en un proceso secundario. Esto puede durar minutos, horas o incluso un día. CBP puede hacerte preguntas, verificar tus antecedentes, revisar tu teléfono o computadora portátil, descargar cosas de tu teléfono o computadora portátil.

Ahora, las siete reglas que te van a proteger.
√Uno, no firmes nada, siempre pide hablar con un abogado.
√Dos, si te entregan un formulario para abandonar tu residencia permanente, nunca lo firmes. CBP no puede quitarte tu tarjeta verde. Sólo un juez de inmigración puede quitarte la tarjeta verde en una audiencia de deportación que no se lleva a cabo en el aeropuerto.
√Tres, di claramente, quiero hablar con mi abogado y quiero contactar a mi consulado.
√Cuatro, tienes derecho a permanecer en silencio. No tienes que responder ninguna pregunta y ciertamente no tienes que responder preguntas sobre tu política.
√Cinco, pide un intérprete si no entiendes completamente todo lo que se dice.
√Seis, si te quitan el teléfono o la computadora portátil, asegúrate de obtener un recibo.
√Siete, si el agente de aduanas y de la patrulla fronteriza dice que eres removible y deportable, no renuncies a tus derechos a ver a un juez de inmigración. Solo un juez de inmigración puede deportarte de nuevo.
√Además, antes de volar, anota el nombre y el número de teléfono de tu abogado en un trozo de papel y avisa a tu familia de tus planes de viaje. - Brad Bernstein.

09/07/2025

NO ENTRE A LOS EEUU COMO TURISTA CON LA INTENCIÓN DE TRABAJAR REMOTAMENTE.

Si lo hace y lo descubren, lo deportaran y le prohibiran entrar a este país por CINCO AÑOS. Luego le denegaran aplicaciones futuras para obtener visa de cualquier tipo
Punto!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOBwUu7CZ8I/?igsh=MTQ1Z3I2c2t2OGxqNg==

08/26/2025

As an immigration attorney I've appeared in court where my government counterparts have argued their cases against my clients facing me openly. What's happening these days in immigration courts across the US is an embarrassment and an affront to the legal profession in general. Government attorneys who hide their faces and names during a court procedure should be severely sanctioned by their respective bars.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMLa-oFvryO/?igsh=MXIwZnAzNG83YjkzYg==

08/20/2025

As Texas goes, so goes the nation. That's the MAGA plan.

08/20/2025

So you know. Green card applicants with uncomplicated cases are facing new draconian regulations. For those who overstayed their visas it's even worse. Individuals who crossed the border uninspected, literally, have little to no chance of formalizing their status.
"Doing it the right way" for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants has always been a practically unattainable goal. It's becoming even more of a pipe dream nowadays. All three categories risk detention in far away camps under near inhumane conditions with no due process.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNEMCAePTu0/?igsh=ZTRtMW11d3g5YXJl

07/26/2025

ICE expanded. It'll be the largest law enforcement agency in the US.

LA MIGRA se expande. Será la agencia del poder más grande de los EE.UU.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMakdfFIT2K/?igsh=MThmbDZyMHJtZnQ3OQ==