Reports surfaced regarding an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Fullerton on January 2. Witnesses reported seeing a man on S. Gilbert St. calling for assistance and urging his family to be notified of his situation as he was cuffed and escorted to unmarked civilian vehicles.

The enforcement action took place around 9 am at Gilbert near the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue, where a convoy of three vehicles and five masked agents appeared to conduct a targeted operation. See Instagram social media footage at @ocactive_.

Fullerton residents (including at least two US citizens) have been targeted over the past year with warrantless immigration enforcement actions involving unmarked vehicles and plainclothes agents at carwashes and shopping center. Residents can document details of such incidents, including the number of agents, vehicles, location and time and report to OC Rapid Response at (714) 881-1558.

Inspite of some ICE agents wearing vests with POLICE written on them – as in this case – they are not police. California law enforcement agencies, including our local police, do not participate in immigration enforcement. The Fullerton Police Department has reaffirmed its non-involvement in federal immigration matters.

On a related issue, while the City of Anaheim joined the ongoing ACLU lawsuit Perdomo v. Nome challenging ICE tactics on October 2, 2025, Fullerton has failed to follow through despite council vote to do so. Attorney Jones stated that Fullerton was unable to file an amicus brief in the case due to uncertainties about which court would hear the case. For updates on the case visit http://www.publiccounsel.org.

Other Resources:
Asian Americans Advancing
Justice SC (888) 349-9695
Orange County Justice Fund
(714) 340-5469