Chester County Sheriff Partners with ICE for Local Immigration Enforcement

(CHESTER COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA) The Chester County Sheriff has entered into a formal partnership with ICE under Section 287(g), confirming on August 21, 2025 that deputies will begin carrying out certain federal immigration duties inside the county jail and during targeted operations. The move places Chester County among a fast-growing list of South Carolina agencies joining ICE this year, amid a nationwide push under President Trump to expand local-federal cooperation. According to ICE program data and local reports, the county’s agreement is active, with training and operational planning already underway.

Statewide, the number of ICE partnerships climbed from 3 in December 2024 to 15 by May 2025. Across the United States 🇺🇸, 287(g) agreements surged from 135 to 628 over the same period, according to ICE listings and state announcements. The Chester County Sheriff aligns with this rapid expansion, which supporters frame as a public safety measure and critics warn could strain local budgets and community trust.

Queen City News reported the sheriff’s public confirmation in August, stating that preparations are in place to carry out enforcement with ICE. County officials said deputies will receive federal instruction, gain access to immigration databases, and coordinate daily with federal teams. The agreement authorizes trained deputies to identify noncitizens in custody, place immigration holds when appropriate, and start removal paperwork—steps that shift the jail’s intake and release routines.

Rapid expansion and state pressure

The shift follows months of state pressure. In February 2025, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson urged all 46 sheriffs to devote resources to immigration enforcement. In March 2025, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) signed a Task Force Model agreement with ICE, widening statewide coordination.

Before 2025, Chester County had declined 287(g) participation and limited cooperation largely to sending daily jail rosters and release notices, according to prior county statements. The new arrangement marks a substantive policy change for the county.

ICE employs about 6,000 federal officers, a figure that leaves gaps when enforcement ramps up. Through Section 287(g), the agency deputizes local officers to carry out defined immigration tasks, which lets ICE scale operations quickly without hiring thousands more agents. For the Chester County Sheriff, that means trained deputies can run immigration checks inside the jail and hold people for federal pickup if ICE issues a detainer request.

Supporters say the partnership helps remove people who pose threats and keeps repeat offenders from returning to neighborhoods. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU, argue the opposite: they warn of wrongful arrests, racial profiling, and higher costs for training, detention, and lawsuits. They also say community members may stop reporting crimes or serving as witnesses if they fear that a traffic stop or minor charge could lead to deportation.

How 287(g) works in practice

Under Chester County’s agreement, the expected operational steps mirror ICE’s standard playbook:

1. Agreement signing and ICE-provided training on immigration law and procedures.
2. Operational integration inside the jail, with access to federal immigration databases.
3. Screening of those booked into custody for potential immigration violations.
4. Issuing ICE detainer requests to hold individuals for federal pickup when authorized.
5. Initiating removal paperwork and coordinating transport with federal teams.
6. Daily reporting to ICE about the jail population and release dates.

Legal scholars note important caveats:

• ICE detainers are requests, not court orders.
• Holding someone beyond their release time without a judicial warrant can expose a county to lawsuits.
• Several federal courts have ruled local agencies face liability for unlawful holds.

County leaders have not released detailed guidance on how they’ll handle warrant reviews or disputed citizenship claims.

For families, the biggest change may be fear of routine encounters with police. A crash, a noise complaint, or a minor shoplifting arrest can now bring questions about immigration status. Advocates urge residents to:

• Carry identity papers,
• Know their rights,
• Ask for a lawyer before signing anything.

They also stress that crime victims can still call for help and file reports without being asked about immigration, though practices can vary by agency.

Costs, risks, and local impacts

Money and liability are open questions for Chester County:

• Costs: Training deputies, staffing jail units to handle immigration checks, and housing people on detainers for extra days all carry tangible costs.
• Legal risk: If lawsuits follow, legal defense and settlement costs can climb.
• Supporters’ view: Cooperation with ICE can reduce repeat offenses and jail crowding over time.
• Opponents’ view: The arrangement may outsource federal work to local officers who answer to county budgets and voters, increasing local financial burdens.

County commissioners have not released a cost estimate or budget amendment tied to the Chester County Sheriff agreement.

Federal context and resources

The broader policy push is driven from Washington. Since returning to office, President Trump’s team has pressed for more local-federal cooperation and promised to penalize cities that refuse. ICE’s expansion this year—rising to 628 total Section 287(g) agreements by May—reflects that stance.

South Carolina’s SLED agreement, signed in March, created a statewide conduit for joint operations that can support county-level efforts, including Chester County’s. ICE’s official 287(g) program page lists current participating agencies and the Memoranda of Agreement for each jurisdiction; readers can review updates at https://www.ice.gov/partners/287g.

Queen City News reported the Chester County announcement this month. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the sharp rise in Section 287(g) agreements—paired with ICE’s relatively small workforce—allows federal authorities to expand reach through county jails and task forces without adding large numbers of new agents.

• Supporters say this model brings federal tools to small departments.
• Opponents say it outsources federal responsibilities to local officers and local budgets.

What residents can do and where to get help

Residents seeking details about procedures, training, or detainers can:

• Contact the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, or check county notices.
• Monitor statewide updates via SLED.
• Review program changes and agency lists on ICE’s website: https://www.ice.gov/partners/287g.
• Immigrant families with concerns about due process or rights during jail booking can reach out to the ACLU of South Carolina or local legal clinics.

Advocates recommend practical preparations:

• Write down a trusted contact,
• Arrange childcare plans,
• Keep copies of documents in a safe place.

Important takeaway: Chester County continues training and expects Section 287(g) operations to phase in over months. More counties may join this year as lawsuits proceed and as local leaders weigh costs, community trust, and legal risks.