Earlier this month, Harder demanded details on current operations, updates on legally-required identification, warrant orders

WATCH: Rep. Harder’s reaction leaving the Stockton ICE facility

July 30, 2026 - STOCKTON – On Wednesday, following ICE’s failure to respond to his letter demanding details on current operations, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) conducted an unannounced oversight inspection of the Stockton ICE facility to get in-person answers. Harder first inspected the facility in January, but after a federal judge overturned mandatory scheduling rules, Harder led a surprise inspection of the field office and pressed ICE agents for updates.

“I just conducted a surprise inspection of the Stockton ICE facility to get face-to-face answers to the questions that this agency has been dodging for months, and I’m still outraged at the answers we’re not getting,” said Rep. Harder. “The chaos we’re seeing across the Valley proves that this agency is out of control. That’s why I’m opposing any new funding for ICE, and we’re going to keep up the pressure with more oversight until our families get the answers and the accountability that they deserve.” 

Harder’s demands about ICE operations in the Valley:

• Oversight Inspection – 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 Harder’s full letter to Acting Director David Venturella 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.

Source: Congressman Josh Harder