States test limits of ICE, CBP agent immunity

In February 2026, several U.S. states initiated legal and legislative actions challenging the immunity protections afforded to agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These efforts seek to hold federal agents accountable for actions taken during immigration enforcement, potentially limiting their current legal immunities. The movement reflects growing tensions between state governments and federal immigration authorities, with implications for law enforcement operations and civil rights protections. The outcomes could reshape the balance of power between state and federal jurisdictions in immigration enforcement.