Key Takeaways
• Nevada’s Robin Titus urges stronger state cooperation with ICE to tackle illegal immigration and improve safety in 2025.
• Arizona’s ICE Act mandates local agencies honor ICE detainers and forbid cooperation bans; governor may veto in 2025.
• ICE has 635 active 287(g) agreements in 40 states, expanding immigration enforcement beyond jails to street-level actions.
On June 1, 2025, Nevada Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus, a top Republican lawmaker, called for stronger collaboration between state law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move is part of a growing trend among Republican lawmakers across the United States 🇺🇸, who are pushing for states to play a bigger role in federal immigration enforcement. The debate is heating up in several states, with new laws, policy changes, and community concerns shaping the future of how states and ICE work together.
What’s Happening: The Push for State-ICE Cooperation
Who: Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Robin Titus (Nevada), Rep. Teresa Martinez (Arizona), and Rep. Mike Soboleski (Maine), are leading efforts to require state and local police to work more closely with ICE.
What: These lawmakers want state and local agencies to:
– Honor ICE detainer requests (holding people for ICE pickup)
– Share information with ICE, including potentially taxpayer data
– Participate in street-level immigration enforcement, not just in jails
When: The push has gained momentum in 2025, with new bills and agreements being introduced or expanded in several states.
Where: The most active states include Nevada, Arizona, and Maine, but ICE reports that 40 states now have some form of partnership.
Why: Supporters argue that closer cooperation with ICE will improve public safety and help remove people who are in the country without legal status, especially those with criminal records.
How: States are passing new laws, signing agreements with ICE, and, in some cases, planning to put the issue directly to voters if governors block the legislation.
Key Developments by State
Nevada: Republican Lawmaker Calls for Action
On June 1, 2025, Nevada Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus urged state law enforcement to increase cooperation with ICE. She said this would help address illegal immigration and improve public safety. Her call follows a national trend among Republican lawmakers who want states to take a more active role in immigration enforcement.
Arizona: The Arizona ICE Act
In April 2025, Arizona’s Republican-controlled legislature passed the Arizona ICE Act (Senate Bill 1164). This bill would:
– Require state and local agencies to comply with ICE detainer requests
– Ban any policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities
The bill is now on the desk of Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who is expected to veto it. If she does, Republican lawmakers have said they may send the measure directly to voters, as they did with a previous border security initiative.
Maine: Competing Bills and Heated Debate
In late April 2025, Maine Republican Rep. Mike Soboleski introduced a bill that would force state and local police to work with ICE and ban any restrictions on sharing information or helping ICE. Civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers oppose the bill, saying it would hurt community trust and lead to racial profiling. A competing Democratic bill would ban such partnerships. Both bills are still being reviewed by committees.
How State-ICE Partnerships Work
The main way states and local agencies work with ICE is through the 287(g) program. Here’s how it typically works:
- MOA Signing: The state or local agency signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ICE under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This agreement spells out what the agency can do and how it will work with ICE. You can find more about these agreements on the official ICE 287(g) program page.
- Officer Training: Officers from the agency get special training from ICE. They learn how to identify, detain, and process people for immigration violations.
- Enforcement Operations: Trained officers can question, detain, and transfer people to ICE custody. This used to happen mostly in jails, but now, under new agreements, it can also happen on the streets.
4. Detainer Requests: ICE can ask local agencies to hold someone for up to 48 hours after they would normally be released, so ICE can pick them up. - Information Sharing: Agencies share information with ICE, and, under a new agreement, the IRS may also share taxpayer data with ICE for immigration enforcement.
As of May 30, 2025, ICE has signed 635 active 287(g) agreements in 40 states. This is a big increase from previous years and shows how quickly these partnerships are spreading.
New ICE Enforcement Policies and Expansion
In 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed earlier limits on where ICE can make arrests. Now, ICE officers can arrest people in places that used to be protected, like schools, hospitals, and courthouses. Oversight of these actions has also been reduced, giving ICE more freedom to act.
ICE has also started a new “task force” model. Instead of focusing only on jails, ICE now works with local police to do street-level enforcement. This means officers can stop and question people in the community, not just those already in jail. This new approach is being used in states like Nevada, Idaho, Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma.
The Arizona ICE Act: Details and Next Steps
The Arizona ICE Act is one of the most talked-about new laws. Here’s what it would do:
– Force all state and local agencies to honor ICE detainer requests
– Ban any policy that limits cooperation with ICE
– Require agencies to share information with ICE
Supporters, like Rep. Teresa Martinez, say the law is needed to remove people with criminal records who are in the country without legal status. They argue it will make Arizona safer.
Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, opposes the bill. She says it would create “unfunded mandates,” meaning the state would have to pay for extra work without getting more money. She also worries it would take police away from other important work.
If Governor Hobbs vetoes the bill, Republican lawmakers have said they may put the issue on the ballot for voters to decide, as they did with a similar border security measure in 2024.
Maine’s Debate: Two Bills, Two Visions
Maine is seeing a heated debate over state-ICE cooperation. Rep. Mike Soboleski’s bill would make it mandatory for all police to work with ICE and ban any limits on sharing information. Civil rights groups, like the ACLU, and some law enforcement leaders say this would hurt trust between police and immigrant communities. They worry it could lead to racial profiling and make people afraid to report crimes.
A competing bill from Democratic lawmakers would ban state and local agencies from working with ICE. Both bills are still being discussed in committees, and it’s not clear which, if either, will become law.
What Does This Mean for Law Enforcement?
Mandatory cooperation with ICE would change how local police do their jobs. Here’s what it could mean:
– More Work: Police would have to spend time honoring ICE detainer requests, sharing information, and possibly doing street-level immigration enforcement.
– Resource Strain: Some police leaders say this could take officers away from other important work, like fighting local crime.
– Mixed Views: Some police agencies support working with ICE to remove people with serious criminal records. Others worry it could hurt their relationship with the community and make people less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations.
Impact on Immigrant Communities
For people living in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status, these changes could have serious effects:
– Increased Risk of Detention and Deportation: With more cooperation between police and ICE, people are more likely to be detained and possibly deported, even for minor offenses.
– Fear and Distrust: Civil rights groups warn that expanded ICE enforcement will make immigrant communities afraid to call the police, report crimes, or seek help.
– Racial Profiling: There are concerns that police may target people based on how they look or speak, rather than actual evidence of a crime.
Legal and Constitutional Issues
Under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the federal government cannot force states or cities to help enforce federal immigration laws. This means that, in most cases, cooperation with ICE is voluntary unless a state passes its own law making it mandatory.
Legal experts say that if states try to force local agencies to work with ICE, they could face lawsuits. Courts have blocked federal attempts to override local “sanctuary” policies in the past, saying they violate the Constitution.
IRS-ICE Data Sharing: A New Frontier
On April 7, 2025, the IRS and ICE signed a new agreement that allows ICE to request taxpayer information for immigration enforcement. As of that date, no requests had been made, but civil rights groups are watching closely. They worry that sharing tax data with ICE could discourage people from filing taxes or seeking help.
Multiple Perspectives: Who Supports and Who Opposes?
Here’s a look at where different groups stand:
- Republican Lawmakers: Support mandatory cooperation, saying it will improve public safety and help control immigration.
- Democratic Lawmakers: Oppose mandates, arguing that local communities should decide how to use their police and that forced cooperation hurts trust.
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Some support working with ICE, especially to remove people with serious criminal records. Others worry about losing community trust and being stretched too thin.
- Civil Rights Groups: Strongly oppose mandatory cooperation, warning of racial profiling, fear, and less public safety.
- Immigrant Communities: Express fear of being targeted, separated from family, and less willing to report crimes.
Historical Background: How Did We Get Here?
The 287(g) program started in 1996. It lets ICE give local police some of the same powers as federal immigration officers. For many years, this was mostly used in jails and prisons. But now, ICE is expanding the program to include street-level enforcement.
Many cities and states have passed “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with ICE. These policies are meant to protect immigrant communities and keep trust between police and residents. Courts have blocked federal efforts to force local agencies to work with ICE, saying it’s up to each state or city to decide.
Recent changes under the Trump administration (2025) have made it easier for ICE to act in more places and to work more closely with state and local agencies.
What’s Next? The Future of State-ICE Cooperation
Looking ahead, several things could happen:
– Ballot Initiatives: In states like Arizona, if governors block new laws, Republican lawmakers may put the issue directly to voters.
– More Agreements: ICE is expected to keep expanding its 287(g) program and the new “task force” model, bringing more local agencies into immigration enforcement.
– Legal Challenges: Lawsuits are likely, especially over whether states can force local agencies to work with ICE and whether sharing taxpayer data is legal.
– Policy Differences: States will probably stay divided, with Republican-led states increasing cooperation and Democratic-led states trying to limit it.
Practical Guidance for Stakeholders
If you are an immigrant, law enforcement officer, or community leader, here are some steps you can take:
– Stay Informed: Check the ICE 287(g) program page for updates on agreements in your area.
– Know Your Rights: Civil rights groups like the ACLU offer resources on what to do if you are stopped by police or ICE.
– Contact Lawmakers: If you have concerns about new laws or policies, reach out to your state legislators or local officials.
– Community Support: Work with local organizations to build trust and provide support for those affected by immigration enforcement.
Conclusion: A Rapidly Changing Landscape
The push for increased state and local cooperation with ICE is reshaping immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸. Republican lawmakers, like Nevada’s Robin Titus, are leading efforts to make these partnerships mandatory, while civil rights groups and some law enforcement leaders warn of serious risks to community trust and public safety. The debate is far from settled, with new laws, policy changes, and possible ballot measures on the horizon.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the number of 287(g) agreements and the scope of ICE’s work with local agencies are both growing quickly. This means that people living in the United States 🇺🇸—especially those without legal status—should pay close attention to changes in their state or city.
For the latest official information on ICE partnerships and enforcement policies, visit the ICE 287(g) program page.
By staying informed and involved, all stakeholders—immigrants, law enforcement, lawmakers, and community members—can help shape the future of immigration enforcement in their communities.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining undocumented immigrants.
287(g) program → A federal program allowing local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws under ICE supervision.
Detainer Request → A request from ICE to hold an individual up to 48 hours beyond release for immigration processing.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) → A formal document outlining cooperation terms between ICE and local or state agencies.
Sanctuary Policies → Local or state policies limiting cooperation with ICE to protect immigrant communities and build trust.
This Article in a Nutshell
Republican leaders push for stronger ties between state law enforcement and ICE in 2025, aiming to boost public safety. New laws like Arizona’s ICE Act seek mandatory ICE cooperation despite opposition and legal issues. ICE expands 287(g) agreements and street enforcement, sparking debates on immigrant rights and policing.
— By VisaVerge.com
