DHS Sued for Warrantless Home Entries in Immigration Enforcement

Civil liberties and democracy advocates sued the Trump administration in federal court, alleging a policy allowing immigration agents to enter homes without a judicial warrant violates federal law and the Constitution.

The proposed class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday, claims that officials authorized agents to carry out home entries based on administrative warrants, rather than those approved by a judge.

The ACLU, Protect Democracy Project, and others suing on behalf of six plaintiffs said to have been the subject of such action said DHS has “abandoned” longstanding policy for a new one that “tramples” Fourth Amendment rights.

The use of administrative warrants has become a sticking point in negotiations over DHS funding and immigration enforcement reforms.

Democrats have pushed to require judicial sign-off for home entries, while DHS has defended the legality of administrative warrants in certain circumstances.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said at his confirmation hearing that he’d consider curbing their use for home entry.

Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief to block the policy and prevent further alleged violations.

Homeland security officials didn’t respond to a request for comment on the suit.

The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU Foundation of the District of Columbia, the Protect Democracy Project, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, and Dorsey & Whitney LLP.

In addition to DHS, the suit names Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

The case is Gibson Brown et al v. Mullin, D.D.C., 1:26-cv-01131, complaint., 4/2/26.