Potential Increase in ICE-Police Cooperation After Federal Court Orders

Key Takeaways

• ICE expanded 287(g) agreements to 456, tripling local police cooperation in immigration enforcement by April 2025.
• Expedited removal process speeds deportations, targeting nearly 1 million immigrants from the CBP One program.
• Protected areas like schools and hospitals are no longer safe from ICE arrests after January 2025 policy change.

Immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸 is changing quickly in 2025, with new rules and court decisions affecting how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) works with local police. These changes are making it easier for ICE to arrest and deport people, especially after recent federal court orders and new government operations. This article explains what’s happening, why it matters, and how it could affect immigrants, families, and communities across the country.

Who is involved? ICE, local police, state governments, federal courts, and the Trump administration.

What is happening? ICE is working more closely with local police to arrest and deport immigrants, especially after new federal court orders and policy changes.

When did this start? The most recent changes began in late 2024 and early 2025, with a major new operation announced on May 23, 2025.

Where is this happening? Across the United States 🇺🇸, with special focus on states like North Carolina and Florida.

Why is this important? These changes could lead to more deportations, less trust between police and immigrant communities, and new legal battles.

How is it being done? Through new ICE operations, expanded agreements between ICE and local police, and changes to rules about where and how ICE can make arrests.

ICE’s New Operation to Speed Up Deportations

On May 23, 2025, the Trump administration announced a new operation to make deportations faster and easier. ICE prosecutors are now asking immigration judges to close certain court cases, so ICE agents can arrest these people and put them into a process called “expedited removal.” This means:

• Expedited removal lets ICE deport people quickly, often without a full court hearing.
• People are at risk if they do not have the right papers, cannot prove they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than two years, or entered the country at official entry points (for these cases, there is no two-year limit).
• Nearly 1 million people who entered under the CBP One program during the previous administration could be targeted.

Lawyers and advocates have reported that ICE has already started arresting people outside immigration courthouses in several cities. This new approach is meant to help ICE deal with the huge backlog of 4 million pending immigration cases.

Why is this happening? The government says it wants to speed up deportations and reduce the number of people waiting for court hearings. But critics say this could lead to unfair deportations and less protection for immigrants.

Federal Court Orders and Their Impact

Federal courts have played a big role in shaping these new policies. On May 22, 2025, a federal judge found that the White House was “unquestionably in violation” of a court order about deporting people to third countries. This decision adds more pressure on the government to follow the law while also trying to increase deportations.

What does this mean for immigrants? Court orders can limit or change how ICE and the government carry out deportations. But when the government is found to be violating these orders, it can create confusion and fear in immigrant communities.

ICE-Police Cooperation: The 287(g) Program

One of the biggest changes in 2025 is the rapid growth of the 287(g) program. This program lets local police work directly with ICE to enforce immigration laws. As of April 17, 2025, there were 456 active 287(g) agreements—more than three times the number from just a few months earlier. Another 63 agreements are waiting for approval.

How does the 287(g) program work? There are three main models:

1. Jail Model: Local police can ask people about their immigration status when they are booked into jail.
2. Task Force Model: Police can check immigration status during regular police work, like traffic stops.
3. Warrant Officer Model: Police can serve federal immigration warrants.

If a local officer thinks someone might have broken immigration laws, they can hold that person until ICE arrives or give them a notice to appear in immigration court.

Why is this important? More local police working with ICE means more people could be arrested and deported, even for small offenses or during routine police work.

Changes to Protected Areas and Courthouse Arrests

In the past, ICE was not allowed to make arrests in certain “protected areas” like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. But on January 20, 2025, the Trump administration ended this policy. Now, ICE officers can arrest people in these places if they think it is necessary.

What has changed?

• ICE officers have more freedom to decide where and when to make arrests.
• There are fewer rules about making arrests in courthouses.
• ICE does not need as much oversight or approval before making these arrests.

Now, if ICE has good information that someone they are looking for is in or near a courthouse, they can arrest them without the old restrictions.

What does this mean for immigrants? People who used to feel safe in schools, hospitals, or churches may now worry about being arrested by ICE in those places.

State Laws Forcing Police to Work With ICE

Some states have passed new laws to make sure local police help ICE with immigration enforcement.

North Carolina’s House Bill 10

This law started in December 2024. It requires all sheriffs in North Carolina to work with ICE. Here’s how it works:

• If someone is arrested and the police think they might not have legal status, that person must see a judge to confirm who they are.
• Jails must hold these people for up to 48 hours so ICE can pick them up.
• ICE must come within that time to take the person into custody.

Some sheriffs in North Carolina say this law could hurt public safety because immigrants may be less likely to trust or help the police.

Florida’s Expanded Cooperation

Florida has gone even further. Governor Ron DeSantis ordered all local police to join the 287(g) program. The state also signed a new agreement giving the Florida Highway Patrol the power to question and arrest people without legal status. This agreement is much broader than earlier deals with county sheriffs.

What is the effect? More police in Florida can now help ICE arrest and deport immigrants, even during routine traffic stops.

Legal Challenges: The Gonzalez v. ICE Settlement

Not all changes have made it easier for ICE. In March 2025, a court settlement in the case of Gonzalez v. ICE changed how ICE can ask local police to hold people for them. The Pacific Enforcement Response Center (PERC), which issues requests after business hours in 42 states, now faces new limits:

• PERC cannot issue detainers (requests to hold someone for ICE) without a neutral review in most cases.
• Instead, PERC can only ask local police to notify ICE if someone is about to be released.
• The new forms make it clear that local police do not have to hold people just for ICE.
• ICE must give people a copy of the detainer form.

Why does this matter? This settlement gives more protection to people in jail and makes it harder for ICE to detain them without proper review.

For more details on ICE detainers and the official forms, you can visit the ICE Detainer Information page.

Impact on Communities and Public Safety

Many police officers, district attorneys, and community leaders worry that these changes will hurt public safety. Here’s why:

• Trust Issues: If immigrants are afraid that police will work with ICE, they may not report crimes or help police investigations.
• Court Attendance: People may skip court dates if they fear being arrested by ICE at the courthouse.
• Family Separation: More aggressive enforcement could lead to more families being separated by deportations.

Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said, “I believe effective public safety depends on collaboration, not fear.” District Attorney Lorrin Freeman warned that more ICE arrests at courthouses could mean “needed witnesses and victims missing court.”

Paul Chavez from Americans for Immigrant Justice explained, “If they see local police and federal law enforcement entangled, they’re less likely to report crimes, less likely to cooperate… If somebody in the family doesn’t have immigration status, they’re not going to open the door because they’re afraid that interaction may lead to their loved one being deported.”

What Schools and Campuses Are Doing

With the end of protected areas, schools and colleges are making new plans to protect their students and staff. They are:

• Giving staff advice on what to do if ICE comes to campus.
• Creating ways to tell the campus community about ICE activity.
• Sharing “Know Your Rights” information so people understand what to do if approached by ICE.

It’s important to know that, under federal law, campus safety officers do not have to help ICE with immigration enforcement, unless state or local laws require it.

What’s Next? The Future of ICE-Police Cooperation

The rapid growth of ICE-police cooperation and the new push for faster deportations show that the Trump administration is taking a much tougher approach to immigration enforcement. Here’s what we can expect:

1. More Local-Federal Partnerships: The number of 287(g) agreements will likely keep growing, meaning more local police will help ICE.
2. Arrests in More Places: ICE will continue making arrests in places that used to be protected, like schools, hospitals, and courthouses.
3. Faster Deportations: The use of expedited removal will increase, allowing ICE to deport people more quickly and with fewer court hearings.
4. Legal Battles: Immigrant rights groups will keep challenging these policies in court, especially if they believe people’s rights are being violated.

Who is affected? Immigrants without legal status, their families, local police, schools, and entire communities could all feel the impact.

What Should Immigrants and Families Do?

If you or someone you know could be affected by these changes, here are some steps to consider:

• Know Your Rights: Learn what to do if ICE approaches you at home, work, or in public. Many organizations offer free “Know Your Rights” cards and workshops.
• Stay Informed: Follow updates from trusted sources, including local immigrant support groups and official government websites.
• Talk to a Lawyer: If you have questions about your immigration status or a pending court case, speak with a qualified immigration attorney.
• Be Careful with Information: Only share personal information with trusted people and organizations.

For more information about your rights and ICE enforcement, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations page.

Conclusion: A Time of Change and Uncertainty

The changes in ICE operations, new federal court orders, and expanded cooperation with local police are making immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸 much stricter in 2025. While the government says these steps are needed to control immigration and reduce court backlogs, many community leaders and advocates worry about the effects on public safety, family unity, and trust in law enforcement.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the rapid increase in 287(g) agreements and the removal of protected area policies are likely to lead to more arrests and deportations, especially in states with tough new laws. At the same time, legal settlements like Gonzalez v. ICE show that courts are still playing a key role in protecting people’s rights.

Immigrants, families, and communities should stay informed, know their rights, and seek legal help if needed. The situation is changing quickly, and it’s important to be prepared for new developments as they happen.

Key Takeaways:

• ICE is working more closely with local police to arrest and deport immigrants, especially after new federal court orders.
• The 287(g) program has tripled in size, giving local police more power to help ICE.
• Protected areas like schools and hospitals are no longer off-limits for ICE arrests.
• State laws in places like North Carolina and Florida require police to cooperate with ICE.
• Legal settlements and court orders are still shaping how ICE can operate.
• Immigrants and families should know their rights and stay informed about changes.

For official updates and resources, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws and managing deportations nationwide.
287(g) program → Agreement allowing local police to enforce federal immigration laws alongside ICE.
Expedited removal → Process enabling quick deportation of individuals without full court hearings.
Detainer → Request by ICE for local police to hold a person pending deportation.
Protected areas → Locations like schools and hospitals where ICE arrests were previously restricted.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, ICE enforcement intensifies with new federal court orders and policies allowing local police to assist deportations. The expanded 287(g) program and removal of protected-area restrictions risk eroding trust between communities and law enforcement, impacting immigrant families nationwide amid faster deportation tactics.
— By VisaVerge.com