ICE 287(g) Program Sees Rise in Local Law Enforcement Collaboration

Local Law Enforcement's Growing Engagement with ICE through 287(g) Program

A recent report by advocacy group FWD.us reveals an increasing trend of collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the federal 287(g) program. This program allows local officers to check the immigration status of individuals and assist ICE in various immigration enforcement activities, with models such as jail enforcement and warrant service officer programs being utilized.

Highlighted in the report, Rena Karefa-Johnson, vice president of national initiatives at FWD.us, pointed out the revival of the task force model within the program. “Really the new bigger incentive is the just money, it’s just kind of the full, blanket influx of cash,” she remarked. This model grants local officers the authority to engage in immigration-related stops and arrests, with the current administration offering financial incentives that include reimbursement for full salaries, overtime, bonuses, and training costs.

This shift in funding strategy represents a significant change from previous efforts, as earlier agreements did not provide such financial benefits. The 287(g) jail model had previously been suspended during the Obama administration due to allegations of racial profiling, particularly concerning Maricopa County's former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

FWD.us estimates that ICE may allocate up to $2 billion to assist state and local agencies involved in this collaboration, outpacing federal funding for other law enforcement initiatives. Currently, around 13,800 to 15,800 law enforcement officers have received training for immigration enforcement, outnumbering the 12,000 personnel ICE has directly hired.

The report indicates that if the current rate of agency participation continues, funding could rise significantly, with projections estimating it could reach $3.6 billion by 2027. This could involve as many as 31,000 officers becoming deputized under the program.

According to NPR’s recent analysis, more than 1,400 287(g) agreements are active across the U.S. Since the beginning of the Trump administration, Arizona has seen its agreements double, with five new partnerships formed in the last year alone. Notably, only one of these recent agreements, belonging to the task force model and signed by Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller in August, has faced a temporary block due to ongoing legal challenges.