Help with a Federal Agency

As your Representative in Congress, it is my job to help constituents work with federal government agencies. If you are facing a challenge with a federal agency, my office can assist you in accessing information, cut through red tape, and help you obtain clarification. 

If you are having difficulty getting a response from a federal agency, our office might be able to help. Of course, we cannot guarantee a favorable outcome, but we will do our best to make sure you are treated fairly and receive a response.

Please note that before we can contact a federal agency on your behalf, we will need you to sign a casework authorization form (CAF). The following forms can be downloaded here:

• Social Security Administration Casework Authorization Form: 
• Document

  CAF - SSA 2025.pdf  (170.52 KB)
• Veterans Affairs Casework Authorization Form:
• Document

  CAF - VA 2025.pdf  (180.34 KB)
• Internal Revenue Service Casework Authorization Form:
• Document

  CAF - IRS 2025.pdf  (151.66 KB)

If you are unable to download the form online or your issue is regarding immigration, you may call 760-424-8888. The form can also be submitted electronically here. You can also mail it to:

Assistance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE)

If you have a relative over the age of 18 years old who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s custody for more than 48 hours and are trying to locate them, use the Online Detainee Locator System here. You will need their first and last name, country of birth, and birth date to search. You can also search by A-Number and country of birth.

If you know where your relative is and would like us to submit a congressional inquiry about their status, please have the detainee complete this form or inform them that they can request DHS Privacy Release form that is available upon request, at the detention facility law library.

• Detainee Casework Authorization Form:

• Document

  caf-detainee.pdf  (188.48 KB)

• Department of Homeland Security Privacy Waiver Authorizing Disclosure to Third Party:

  Document

  dhs-privacy-waiver-form.pdf  (142.54 KB)

Submit online Casework Form

If you need assistance with an immigration-related issue, please call my Palm Desert office at 760-424-8888 to receive the required form through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not download or fill out the form on this webpage.

Cases are processed in the order they are received, and federal agencies take several weeks to respond. If this is urgent, please call 760-424-8888 and ask to speak to a caseworker.