Immigration Agency Sued for Withholding Personal Property and Work Documents
Washington, Friday, 16 October 2026.
A class-action lawsuit accuses ICE of unlawfully retaining work permits and personal items from released individuals, disrupting their ability to legally secure employment and navigate daily life.
Federal Lawsuit Filed in District of Columbia
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a class-action lawsuit, Gonzalez v. Department of Homeland Security, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia [1][3]. The legal challenge was initiated on October 6, 2026, targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly refusing to return identity documents and personal property to individuals upon their release from immigration detention [1][2]. Seven plaintiffs, including Russian asylum seeker Vladimir Izmailov, are represented by a coalition including the ACLU of D.C., ACLU of Illinois, Democracy Defenders Fund, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and Platkin LLP [1][3]. The complaint asserts that the agency systematically withholds items such as work authorization documents, passports, and driver’s licenses, severely impeding released individuals’ ability to work legally and navigate ongoing legal proceedings [1][2].
Economic and Personal Consequences
Plaintiff Vladimir Izmailov reports being unable to secure employment or support his family for more than five months due to the retention of his work authorization documents [1][2]. ICE retains a wide range of personal items including cell phones, cash, and wedding rings, causing job loss and significant financial costs for those released [1][3]. The lawsuit alleges these actions violate the Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable seizures of property and contradict ICE’s own confiscation directives [2][3]. Legal representatives argue that the government not returning these documents forces individuals to walk around without proof of lawful status, which federal law mandates noncitizens carry [2][3].
Legal Precedents and Administrative Context
Legal representatives cite a 2024 federal appeals court ruling in the District of Columbia which determined that police cannot hold seized personal property for an unreasonable amount of time [1][3]. The complaint asserts that since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, ICE has routinely failed to return seized items despite release from custody [3]. Plaintiffs are petitioning the court to issue an order compelling ICE to return retained property and implement procedural safeguards to prevent future unauthorized retention [1][2]. This legal action highlights operational administrative failures that potentially signal heightened judicial scrutiny and administrative compliance costs for federal law enforcement agencies [1][3].