How Local Police Departments Enable ICE’s Deportation Efforts

Key Takeaways

• By June 2025, 579 total 287(g) agreements exist, with 444 signed since January 20, boosting local police-ICE cooperation.
• In the first 100 days of 2025, ICE made 66,463 arrests and 65,682 removals, largely aided by local police roles.
• Local police participate directly via 287(g) models and indirectly by managing crowds and traffic during ICE operations.

Local Police Deepen Ties with ICE Through 287(g) Program: What It Means for Immigrants and Communities

In June 2025, local police departments across the United States 🇺🇸 have become more involved than ever in federal immigration enforcement. This shift is driven by a sharp increase in cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), especially through the 287(g) Program. The Trump administration’s second term has seen a record number of new agreements, with both large cities and small towns now playing a direct role in ICE’s arrest and deportation efforts. This development has sparked heated debate about public safety, civil rights, and the future of immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸.

Local Police and ICE: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

Who: Local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and ICE agents
What: Expanded collaboration to arrest, detain, and deport immigrants
When: Most notably since January 20, 2025, with a surge in new agreements and enforcement actions through June 2025
Where: Nationwide, including major cities like Omaha, Los Angeles, and New York City, as well as smaller communities
Why: The Trump administration aims to remove what it calls “public safety and national security threats” by using local police as “force multipliers” for ICE
How: Through formal 287(g) agreements that deputize local officers, as well as informal cooperation during ICE operations

The 287(g) Program: How Local Police Become ICE Agents

The 287(g) Program is a key tool that allows ICE to partner with local police. Under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE can sign agreements with local law enforcement agencies, giving them the power to perform certain immigration enforcement duties. These agreements come in three main forms:

• Jail Enforcement Model: Local jail officers identify and process immigrants for ICE while they are in custody.
• Task Force Model: Local police are authorized to make immigration arrests during routine enforcement, such as traffic stops or patrols.
• Warrant Service Officer Model: Local officers are trained to serve and execute administrative immigration warrants on people already in custody.

As of June 2025, ICE has 579 pending and signed 287(g) agreements with police departments and sheriff’s offices across the country. This includes 444 new agreements signed since January 20, 2025, showing a dramatic expansion of the program.

For more details on the 287(g) Program and a list of participating agencies, visit the official ICE 287(g) Program page.

Record-Breaking ICE Arrests and Removals

The impact of this expanded cooperation is clear in the numbers. In the first 100 days of 2025 alone, ICE reported:

• 66,463 arrests
• 65,682 removals (deportations)

According to ICE, about three-quarters of those arrested were classified as “criminal illegal aliens.” ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) directorate has described these results as record-breaking.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, this surge in enforcement is directly linked to the growing number of 287(g) agreements and the active involvement of local police in ICE operations.

Local Police Roles: Direct and Indirect Support for ICE

Local police help ICE in several ways, both directly and indirectly:

Direct Roles:
– Identifying and detaining immigrants in local jails for ICE pickup
– Making immigration arrests during routine police work (under the Task Force Model)
– Serving ICE warrants on people already in custody

Indirect Roles:
– Managing traffic and crowd control during ICE raids and protests
– Suppressing demonstrations against ICE and defending federal detention facilities
– Maintaining public order during ICE operations, even in “sanctuary cities” that claim to limit cooperation

Even in cities with formal “sanctuary” policies, local police often act as “force multipliers” for ICE by supporting their activities in these indirect ways.

Step-by-Step: How Local Police Enable ICE

1. Signing a 287(g) Agreement: Local police or sheriff’s offices enter into a formal partnership with ICE, choosing one of the three models.
2. Training and Certification: ICE provides training to local officers, teaching them how to identify, detain, and process immigrants for federal enforcement.
3. Operational Collaboration: Trained officers work alongside ICE, either by making arrests themselves or by supporting ICE operations with crowd control and public safety duties.
4. Detainers and Transfers: Local police may honor ICE “detainers,” which are requests to hold someone in jail beyond their release date so ICE can take custody.
5. Public Communication: Local officials often issue statements saying their role is limited to “public safety,” but their actions can still help ICE carry out arrests and removals.

The Numbers Behind the Policy

• 579 total 287(g) agreements (pending and signed) as of June 2025
• 444 new agreements since January 20, 2025
• 66,463 ICE arrests in the first 100 days of 2025
• 65,682 ICE removals in the same period
• 41,169 people in ICE detention as of February 2025
• 54.7% of detainees enrolled in Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs
• Over 1,000 illegal workers arrested and over $1 million in fines proposed against businesses since January 2025

Stakeholder Perspectives: Supporters and Critics

ICE and Law Enforcement Leaders

ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons has praised the expanded cooperation, saying it helps remove “public safety and national security threats.” ICE Deputy Director Madison D. Sheahan has also highlighted the agency’s focus on worksite enforcement and breaking up human smuggling rings.

Some local police chiefs and mayors, especially in cities like Omaha and Minneapolis, say their officers’ roles during ICE operations are limited to “maintaining public safety.” However, critics argue that even these indirect roles make it easier for ICE to carry out arrests and deportations.

Civil Liberties and Immigrant Advocacy Groups

Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warn that 287(g) agreements:

• Undermine civil liberties
• Lead to racial profiling and wrongful detentions
• Erode trust between immigrant communities and local police
• Make immigrants less likely to report crimes or seek help

Academic and policy experts have described the expansion of 287(g) as an unprecedented move that deputizes local police for federal immigration enforcement, raising serious constitutional and civil rights concerns.

Community Impact

Immigrant advocacy groups say that local police involvement in ICE operations increases fear in immigrant communities. Families worry about separation, and many people become afraid to contact police—even when they are victims or witnesses of crime.

Sanctuary Cities: Policies vs. Practice

Many cities and counties have adopted “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with ICE. However, in practice, local police often still play a role in ICE operations. For example, they may:

• Manage traffic and crowds during ICE raids
• Provide security at federal detention centers
• Suppress protests against ICE

Critics argue that these actions, even if indirect, still help ICE achieve its goals and undermine the spirit of sanctuary policies.

Fiscal Impact: Who Pays for Enforcement?

Participating in the 287(g) Program can be expensive for local governments. Costs include:

• Training and certifying officers
• Detaining immigrants for ICE pickup
• Legal fees from lawsuits over wrongful detentions or civil rights violations

Often, local governments do not receive full reimbursement from the federal government for these expenses. This can strain local budgets and divert resources from other public safety needs.

Public Safety: Does 287(g) Make Communities Safer?

Supporters of the 287(g) Program argue that it helps remove dangerous criminals from the streets and improves public safety. They point to ICE statistics showing that most people arrested under the program are classified as “criminal illegal aliens.”

However, critics say that these policies actually make communities less safe. When immigrants are afraid to contact police, crimes go unreported and unsolved. This can lead to more crime, not less, and erode trust between police and the communities they serve.

Worksite Enforcement and Business Impact

ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has also stepped up worksite enforcement. Since January 2025, HSI has:

• Arrested over 1,000 undocumented workers
• Proposed over $1 million in fines against businesses that hire unauthorized workers

This focus on worksite enforcement is part of a broader strategy to discourage illegal immigration by targeting both workers and employers.

Legal Challenges and Future Outlook

The rapid expansion of 287(g) agreements and local police involvement in immigration enforcement is likely to face legal challenges. Civil rights groups are already filing lawsuits, especially in sanctuary jurisdictions, arguing that some forms of cooperation violate constitutional rights.

The future of these policies will depend on:

• Federal and state political dynamics
• Court rulings on the legality of local-federal collaboration
• Public pressure and advocacy from both supporters and opponents

Historical Background: How Did We Get Here?

Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act was passed in 1996, allowing ICE to delegate some of its powers to state and local law enforcement. The program grew during the George W. Bush and Trump administrations, was scaled back under President Obama, and has now been aggressively revived.

The “Task Force Model,” which lets local police make immigration arrests during routine enforcement, is now being widely used after being mostly dormant for years.

What Immigrants and Families Need to Know

If you or someone you know is affected by ICE or local police actions under the 287(g) Program:

• Know your rights: You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer if you are detained.
• Check if your local police department has a 287(g) agreement: This information is available on the ICE 287(g) Program page.
• Report abuses or concerns: Civil rights organizations and some state attorneys general offer hotlines and legal help.
• Stay informed: Policies can change quickly, so check official sources and trusted news outlets for updates.

Summary Table: Local Police and ICE Collaboration (June 2025)

Official Resources and Next Steps

• For the most current information on the 287(g) Program, including participating agencies and program details, visit the ICE 287(g) Program page.
• To report crimes or suspicious activity, call 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or use the online tip form on ICE’s website.
• For up-to-date statistics on detention and enforcement, check TRAC Immigration Quick Facts.
• For guidance on state and local laws regarding immigration enforcement, see your state attorney general’s official website.

Takeaways for Immigrants, Families, and Communities

• Local police involvement with ICE is growing rapidly through the 287(g) Program, affecting both large cities and small towns.
• Even in sanctuary cities, local police may still help ICE by managing crowds, traffic, and public safety during raids.
• Civil rights concerns are rising, with critics warning of racial profiling, wrongful detentions, and loss of trust in police.
• Legal challenges are underway, and the future of these policies will depend on court decisions and public advocacy.
• Stay informed and know your rights—policies can change quickly, and understanding your local situation is key.

As the debate continues, the role of local police in federal immigration enforcement remains a critical issue for immigrants, law enforcement, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

287(g) Program → A federal program allowing ICE to deputize local law enforcement for immigration enforcement duties.
ICE Arrests → The detention of individuals by ICE for immigration violations or crimes, often assisted by local police.
Sanctuary Cities → Cities limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect immigrant communities from deportation.
Detainers → Requests by ICE asking local law enforcement to hold suspected immigrants beyond release for transfer.
Task Force Model → A 287(g) agreement allowing local police to make immigration arrests during routine duties like traffic stops.

This Article in a Nutshell

Local police across the U.S. expanded collaboration with ICE in 2025 via the 287(g) Program, increasing immigrant arrests. This partnership fuels debate on civil rights and public safety. Despite sanctuary policies, police act as ICE force multipliers. Legal battles and community trust challenges complicate the evolving immigration enforcement landscape.
— By VisaVerge.com