Key Takeaways
• As of June 2025, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia lead intensified ICE cooperation through 287(g) programs with 641 agreements nationwide.
• Florida deputized 100+ Highway Patrol troopers as U.S. Marshals in May 2025, enabling independent immigration enforcement.
• Georgia requires all 1,100 DPS officers trained under 287(g); 1,730 detainees held under ICE detainers as of March 2025.
Immigration Enforcement Intensifies in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia
Immigration enforcement has become a central issue in the United States 🇺🇸, with Georgia, Florida, and Virginia standing out as the main hot spots for stepped-up activity. As of June 2025, these states have seen a surge in cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, leading to more arrests, detentions, and deportations. This shift is driven by new state policies, federal executive orders, and a growing number of formal agreements that give local police the power to act as immigration agents. The result is a complex and sometimes controversial landscape that affects immigrants, families, employers, and entire communities.
Why Are Georgia, Florida, and Virginia Under the Spotlight?
The focus on Georgia, Florida, and Virginia is not accidental. These states have some of the highest numbers of local law enforcement agencies working directly with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287(g) program. This program, created by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, lets ICE train and authorize local police to enforce immigration laws. As of June 2025, ICE has signed 641 Memorandums of Agreement for 287(g) programs across 40 states, but the largest share is in the South.
- Florida leads with about 208 agencies involved—43% of all 287(g) agreements.
- Texas comes next with 73 agencies (14%).
- Georgia has 27 agencies (5%).
- North Carolina has 21 agencies.
Virginia, while not leading in numbers, has a state government that strongly encourages local police to work with ICE, resulting in high-profile enforcement actions. This concentration of agreements shows a clear strategy: focus on states where local and state governments are willing to go further than federal authorities alone can.
How the 287(g) Program Works
The 287(g) program is at the heart of this enforcement push. It operates in three main ways:
- Task Force Model: Local police are trained to question, detain, and arrest people they suspect of violating immigration laws while out in the community. This model is the most visible and has drawn criticism from immigrant advocates, who say it can lead to racial profiling and fear among immigrant communities.
Jail Enforcement Model: Officers working in jails or prisons are trained to check the immigration status of people who are already in custody for other reasons. If they find someone who may be in the country without permission, they can place an “ICE detainer,” which is a request to hold the person for up to 48 hours so ICE can take custody.
Warrant Service Officer Model: Officers are authorized to serve ICE administrative warrants inside jails or correctional facilities, but they do not question people about their immigration status.
You can find more details about the 287(g) program and its different models on the official ICE 287(g) program page.
Georgia: Expanding Enforcement and Legislative Action
Georgia has become a key state for immigration enforcement, with both the governor and legislature pushing for stronger action. In March 2025, Governor Brian Kemp ordered the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to have all 1,100 sworn officers trained under the 287(g) program. This move gives state troopers more power to identify and detain undocumented immigrants, especially those considered a risk to public safety.
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has already been working with ICE through the Jail Enforcement Model. As of March 2025, the GDC reported holding about 1,730 people with ICE detainers. This means these individuals are being kept in jail so ICE can decide whether to deport them.
Georgia lawmakers have also taken steps to prevent local governments from limiting cooperation with ICE. On February 13, 2025, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 21, which would remove legal protections (known as “sovereign immunity”) from local governments that adopt “sanctuary” policies. Sanctuary policies are rules that limit how much local police can help federal immigration agents. By removing these protections, the bill aims to force cities and counties to work more closely with ICE.
A recent case in Georgia shows how these policies affect real people. On May 5, 2025, Ximena Arias-Cristobal, a 19-year-old undocumented immigrant who has lived in Georgia since she was four, was detained by ICE after a mistaken traffic arrest. Even though the traffic charges were dropped, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told her and her father to “self-deport.” This case highlights the risks faced by long-term residents, including those who came to the United States 🇺🇸 as children but do not qualify for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
Florida: Leading the Charge with New Enforcement Powers
Florida has taken some of the most aggressive steps in the country to expand immigration enforcement. On May 12, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than 100 Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers had been sworn in as special deputy U.S. Marshals. This new status lets them carry out immigration enforcement on their own, without waiting for ICE agents. The goal, according to the governor, is to “remove dangerous criminal aliens from our communities” more quickly.
Larry Keefe, executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, introduced a 37-page “Florida blueprint” at the same event. This document is meant to serve as a model for other states that want to follow Florida’s example. Governor DeSantis also proposed giving Florida National Guard Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers the power to act as immigration judges, which would be a first in the country.
Earlier in 2025, Florida launched “Operation Tidal Wave,” a joint effort between state and federal agencies that led to more than 1,000 arrests of migrants across the state. This operation shows the scale and seriousness of Florida’s current enforcement push.
Virginia: High-Profile Cooperation and Enforcement
Virginia has also become a hot spot for immigration enforcement, especially under its Republican-led state government. Local police in Virginia have been encouraged to sign 287(g) agreements and work closely with ICE. This has led to several high-profile raids and mass arrests, putting Virginia in the same category as Georgia and Florida when it comes to aggressive enforcement.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Virginia’s approach is part of a broader trend among southern states, where local and state governments are taking a more active role in immigration enforcement, often going beyond what federal authorities can do on their own.
Federal Policy: Executive Orders and National Strategy
The current wave of enforcement in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia is closely tied to federal policy. On his first day back in office in 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order called “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” This order requires ICE to use the 287(g) program as much as possible, working with state and local police to find and remove undocumented immigrants.
President Trump has also spoken directly to law enforcement leaders, urging them to partner with ICE. Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, explained that these agreements act as a “force multiplier,” helping ICE do more with limited resources.
Challenges for Local Law Enforcement
While some states and local agencies are eager to join the 287(g) program, others face real challenges:
- Not enough officers: Many sheriffs, especially in rural areas, do not have enough staff to take on extra duties.
- Limited jail space: Some counties do not have enough beds to hold people for ICE.
- Lack of funding: Immigration enforcement can be expensive, and not all local governments have the money to support it.
Jonathan Thompson, head of the National Sheriffs’ Association, pointed out that even sheriffs who want to help ICE sometimes cannot because of these limits. Some sheriffs also worry about losing the trust of their communities, especially if people feel they cannot call the police without risking deportation.
State Policy Differences: Restrictive vs. Protective Approaches
Not all states take the same approach to immigration enforcement. There are clear differences across the country:
- Most Restrictive States: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Texas, and West Virginia have the toughest laws, requiring local police to help with deportations and banning sanctuary policies.
- Moderately Restrictive States: States like Alabama, Tennessee, Arizona, and others require some cooperation with ICE but are not as strict.
- Most Protective States: Oregon and Illinois have strong laws protecting immigrants, and states like California, New Jersey, and Washington also have broad sanctuary policies.
These differences mean that an immigrant’s experience can vary greatly depending on where they live. In Georgia, Florida, and Virginia, the risk of arrest and deportation is much higher than in states with protective laws.
Implications for Immigrants, Families, and Communities
The increased focus on enforcement in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia has real consequences for many people:
- Immigrants: Those living in these states face a higher risk of being stopped, questioned, or detained by police, even for minor issues like traffic stops.
- Families: Many families are mixed-status, meaning some members are citizens or legal residents while others are undocumented. Increased enforcement can lead to family separation and fear.
- Employers: Businesses that rely on immigrant workers may find it harder to hire and keep staff, especially in industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality.
- Communities: Some community leaders worry that aggressive enforcement will make people less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police, making everyone less safe.
Case Example: The Human Impact
The case of Ximena Arias-Cristobal in Georgia is just one example of how these policies affect real people. Detained after a traffic stop, she faced deportation even though she has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since she was a child. Her story is similar to many others who have built lives in these states but now face an uncertain future.
What Should Immigrants and Advocates Do?
If you live in Georgia, Florida, or Virginia, it is important to know your rights and stay informed about local policies. Here are some steps you can take:
- Know your rights: Everyone, regardless of immigration status, has certain rights when dealing with police or ICE. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or show documents unless you are under arrest.
- Seek legal help: If you or a family member is detained, contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) can help you find qualified attorneys.
- Stay updated: Policies can change quickly. Check official state and local government websites for the latest information.
- Connect with community groups: Many organizations offer support, legal clinics, and information sessions for immigrants and their families.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Enforcement
The situation in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia is likely to keep changing as new laws are passed and federal policies shift. For now, these states remain at the center of the national debate over immigration enforcement. The choices made by state leaders, local police, and federal officials will continue to shape the lives of millions of people.
For more information about immigration enforcement programs and your rights, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official website.
As enforcement efforts grow in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia, it is more important than ever for immigrants, families, and advocates to stay informed, know their rights, and seek support when needed. The landscape is complex, but understanding the key players, policies, and challenges can help people make better decisions and protect themselves and their loved ones.
Learn Today
287(g) program → A federal program allowing local police to enforce immigration laws after ICE training and authorization.
ICE detainer → A request for local jail to hold an immigrant up to 48 hours pending ICE custody transfer.
Task Force Model → 287(g) approach where trained local police arrest suspected immigration violators in communities.
Sanctuary policies → Local rules limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect undocumented immigrants.
Executive Order → A directive by the U.S. President with the force of law affecting enforcement priorities.
This Article in a Nutshell
Immigration enforcement in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia sharply increased in 2025 via 287(g) programs and state policies. Florida leads aggressive actions with deputized officers, while Georgia expands training and detentions. This enforcement wave impacts immigrant families, local governments, and community safety amid shifting federal directives and complex local challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com
