Civil Rights Lawsuit Challenges ICE’s Home-Invasion Policy
Lawsuit Challenges ICE Policy Allowing Forced Home Entry Without Judicial Warrants
Civil rights and immigrant organizations filed a federal lawsuit challenging an unlawful federal policy authorizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to enter private homes forcibly without a judicial warrant. Lawyers for Civil Rights filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Greater Boston Latino Network (GBLN) and Brazilian Worker Center (BWC)—organizations that work directly with immigrant communities. The organizations have been responding to widespread fear and emergencies caused by ICE’s new home-invasion policy.
The lawsuit challenges the legality of a May 2025 memorandum issued by Todd M. Lyons, Acting Director of ICE, directing ICE agents to enter private residences—even by force—solely based on an internal administrative document known as Form I-205. This new home-invasion policy represents an unprecedented break from clearly established constitutional principles, federal law, and ICE’s own longstanding regulations.
The Fourth Amendment protects all people in the United States—regardless of citizenship status or national origin—from unreasonable searches and seizures. For centuries, courts have been clear: warrantless home entries are unconstitutional. Judicial warrants must be issued by a neutral judge based on probable cause. ICE’s Form I-205 is not a judicial warrant. It is an internal administrative document drafted and signed by ICE officers themselves. It allows for no oversight or checks on ICE’s enforcement activities. Form I-205 has never authorized entry into a private home.
Despite the settled law, the Lyons memorandum claims—without explanation—that ICE may now rely on Form I-205 to enter private residences. Yet, there has been no change in the Constitution, federal statutes, or court decisions to justify this seismic shift.
Across the country, ICE has dangerously escalated enforcement operations, including in Massachusetts, Minnesota, California, Illinois, and Maine. These operations have involved violent home raids, use of military-style force, and alarming arrests of immigrants with legal status. In January 2026 alone, ICE officers forcibly entered homes in Minnesota using battering rams and rifles—conduct that is patently illegal and unconstitutional.
“We will not stand by while ICE engages in unlawful and dangerous practices. We will not be intimidated by fear tactics targeting our neighbors. We stand with immigrants, communities of color, and everyone fighting for dignity and the Constitution,” said Alexandra Oliver-Dávila, a Steering Committee member of the Greater Boston Latino Network, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.
“ICE’s warrantless home invasions place families, children, and entire communities in danger,” said Lenita Reason, the Executive Director of the Brazilian Worker Center. “When the federal government and immigration officials claim the power to break down doors to invade private homes without judicial approval, no one is safe. This policy is especially dangerous for our members because many have already provided their home addresses while pursuing asylum or other immigration relief. Now ICE is using that information to target them at home.”
“The Fourth Amendment exists precisely to prevent government agents from breaking into people’s homes without any judicial process or oversight,” said Brooke Simone, Staff Attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights, one of the attorneys leading the lawsuit. “ICE’s policy is a direct assault on these core constitutional principles and undermines our privacy, safety, and dignity. It puts everyone at risk.”
“The home is sacrosanct, and the Fourth Amendment places it at the center of our liberties,” said Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights. “This case has national implications beyond immigration enforcement because the Constitution protects the right to retreat into your home for safety, free from unreasonable government intrusion. We’re asking the court to reaffirm that promise so agents can’t come to your house—kicking in your door.”
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), asking the federal court to declare the new home-invasion policy unlawful and prohibit federal officials from implementing it.
The case is Greater Boston Latino Network et al. v. Kristi Noem et al., No. 26-cv-10472 (D. Mass. filed Jan. 30, 2026).
The complaint is available here.
Click here to learn more about your rights.
