Key Takeaways
• The expanded ICE 287(g) program enables local police to enforce federal immigration laws, sparking trust issues in immigrant communities.
• From 2017 to 2021, jurisdictions such as Nassau County and Florida increased 287(g) participation, worsening police-community trust and safety concerns.
• Roughly 70% of undocumented immigrants fear contacting police, leading to unreported crimes and harming broader community safety efforts.
Over the past several years, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices have drawn attention for their impact not just on detaining undocumented immigrants but also on shaping the dynamics between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. An especially contentious aspect has been the expansion of ICE’s 287(g) program. This program enables local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents, enforcing federal immigration laws. As these collaborations have grown, many worry that they are eroding the public’s trust in police, especially in immigrant communities. The intersection of immigration enforcement and local policing has sparked deep debate, raising questions about how to balance federal mandates with the vital need for trust and safety in neighborhoods.
The 287(g) Program and Its Expansion
The 287(g) program has existed for decades, giving certain local police officers the authority to enforce immigration laws under ICE’s guidance. While supporters of the program argue that it strengthens public safety by targeting immigrants involved in criminal activity, its expansion—particularly under the Trump administration—has heightened concerns in many quarters. Between 2017 and 2021, several jurisdictions significantly amplified their participation, assigning local officers additional immigration-related duties.
In early 2025, following policies set during the Trump administration, Nassau County, New York, expanded its involvement in the program. County Executive Bruce Blakeman authorized 10 police detectives to perform immigration enforcement duties, focusing on detaining immigrants with both undocumented status and criminal charges. Critics, however, worry that involving local police in such roles could dissuade immigrants from trusting law enforcement and worsen public safety outcomes in these communities.
Other prominent examples include New York City’s decision to reinstate immigration officials at Rikers Island jail. Advocates of this approach, a joint effort involving Mayor Eric Adams and the federal government, claimed it would help fight gang activities. However, it has faced backlash from groups who argue it conflicts with the city’s sanctuary policies—laws meant to foster trust with immigrant residents by limiting local cooperation with ICE.
Florida has gone even further. Pressured by Governor Ron DeSantis, state law enforcement agencies have adopted nearly universal compliance with ICE directives. Advocates in these communities fear that this level of collaboration may force immigrants to withdraw from public life altogether, avoiding police whether they are reporting crimes, seeking help, or engaging in routine civic activities. All these developments underscore a widening divide between those who prioritize immigration enforcement and those who advocate for building bridges between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
How ICE Tactics Erode Public Trust
One of the most troubling consequences of ICE’s growing partnerships with local law enforcement is the damage to public trust. Immigrant communities, already vulnerable due to their legal status, may become even more marginalized when they fear that any interaction with police could lead to deportation. This fear often extends far beyond those without proper documentation, as families with mixed immigration statuses or even permanent residents may grow wary of law enforcement.
In many areas, this problem has become evident. For example, police in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, have made public efforts to assure immigrants that they are not functioning as ICE agents. Despite these reassurances, fear remains prevalent, with many immigrants reluctant to report crimes or serve as witnesses. This avoidance can create what experts call a “shadow society” of people who feel invisible—unable to seek help or protection without exposing themselves to potential immigration scrutiny.
Study after study supports these observations. Research indicates that roughly 70% of undocumented immigrants hesitate to contact law enforcement out of fear. This hesitation is not just an individual problem; it affects entire communities. When immigrants are unwilling or afraid to cooperate with the police, crimes may go unreported, evidence uncollected, and criminals unpunished, which jeopardizes the safety of neighborhoods broadly.
Organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center have warned about these broader safety implications. Their analysis suggests that mixing immigration enforcement with routine police responsibilities not only harms the safety of immigrant communities but also compromises the mission of law enforcement as a whole. Public trust is critical for police to solve crimes and prevent harm, yet ICE’s enforcement tactics may undermine this essential relationship.
A Look at Historical Context
To grasp the current controversy, it’s helpful to consider how ICE’s role and strategies have evolved over time. ICE was formed in 2003 as part of the Department of Homeland Security, with its principal aim being immigration enforcement and countering terrorism. Over the years, its focus has varied under different administrations, but its core responsibility of immigration enforcement has remained constant.
Under the Bush administration, new laws toughened penalties for undocumented immigrants, leading to an increase in detentions and deportations. These developments set the stage for today’s debates over enforcement strategies. The Obama administration, though aimed at a more selective approach by targeting those with serious criminal histories, still oversaw record numbers of deportations. This instilled a sense of fear in immigrant communities, even when they were not the direct targets of enforcement.
The Trump administration marked a stark shift in policy by widening the scope of ICE’s targets to include virtually all undocumented individuals. Family separations, workplace raids, and a notable expansion of programs such as 287(g) drew national and global criticism for their effects on families and communities. ICE even ventured into controversial practices, like impersonating police officers during raids, which blurred the lines between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents. These aggressive methods have undoubtedly contributed to the erosion of public trust that persists today.
The Conflict for Law Enforcement
For local police forces, the complications extend beyond policy debates into the very real challenges of doing their jobs. Policing effectively relies on strong community ties. Trust is the foundation that allows people to report crimes, assist in investigations, and participate in initiatives to keep neighborhoods safe. However, when local police become associated with federal immigration enforcement, this trust relationship breaks down.
The dual role created by programs like 287(g)—where officers act as protectors and, in some cases, as immigration agents—introduces fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. Many immigrants, unaware of the distinctions between federal and local agencies, may assume that any police officer could help initiate deportation proceedings. This results in isolation and disengagement from police, making immigrants both more vulnerable as victims of crime and less likely to partner with officers to keep communities safe.
Many law enforcement leaders have voiced concern about these consequences. They argue that federal immigration enforcement should remain separate from local policing to ensure that immigrant communities see police as allies, not enforcers. When community policing breaks down, crime rates often rise—not just crimes targeting immigrants but crimes affecting the wider community as well.
Proposed Solutions
Efforts to address these concerns have included a mix of policy proposals and community-focused strategies. In Connecticut, for instance, lawmakers are revisiting the Trust Act to clarify when and how local law enforcement collaborates with ICE, ensuring that immigrant residents are not unjustly criminalized while still addressing public safety needs.
Nationally, groups like the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force have proposed reforms that can build bridges between immigrant communities and local officers. Some of their suggestions include better cultural training for officers, improving language accessibility for immigrants who don’t speak English, and holding public forums to strengthen relationships between residents and police.
These efforts focus on creating a transparent and open environment where all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel secure enough to interact with local law enforcement. While such measures might not resolve all tensions, they are steps toward repairing the damage caused by eroded trust.
Long-Term Consequences of Public Distrust
The breakdown of trust between immigrant communities and police has effects that ripple far beyond immigration debates—it influences the overall fabric of American society. Communities that live in fear are less likely to engage in civic life, leading to decreased access to education, healthcare, and public services. This isolation often leads to circumstances that perpetuate poverty, crime, and instability within neighborhoods.
For law enforcement, continued mistrust erodes their capacity to serve effectively. Officers rely on community cooperation to provide safety, and when residents pull away, policing becomes reactive rather than proactive. This can make immigrant-dense areas harder to protect, harming not just those residents but the wider public.
Final Thoughts
The expanded use of ICE’s 287(g) program exemplifies the complex relationship between immigration enforcement and local policing. While securing borders and upholding immigration laws are vital federal tasks, they must not come at the expense of trust and safety in immigrant communities. Advocates, law enforcement, and policymakers are now at a crossroads, tasked with balancing federal mandates with the realities of community policing.
If local police lose the public trust, the broader consequences will affect everyone. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the long-term sustainability of community safety efforts depends heavily on their ability to foster trust and cooperation among all residents. Only through careful policymaking and collaboration can this trust be rebuilt, ensuring that law enforcement agencies protect and serve every individual, regardless of their immigration status.
For official details on the 287(g) program, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s page on the program.
Learn Today
287(g) Program → A program allowing local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws through collaboration with ICE.
Sanctuary Policies → Laws limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities to build trust with immigrant communities.
Deportation Proceedings → Legal processes initiated to remove a non-citizen from a country due to violations of immigration laws.
Mixed Immigration Status Families → Families where members have differing immigration statuses, such as undocumented, permanent resident, or citizen.
Community Policing → A law enforcement approach focused on building trust and partnerships with community members to improve safety and cooperation.
This Article in a Nutshell
The 287(g) program empowers local police to enforce federal immigration laws, sparking deep debate. While intended to enhance safety, critics argue it erodes trust in law enforcement, especially within immigrant communities. Fear of deportation discourages crime reporting, jeopardizing public safety. Balancing immigration enforcement with fostering trust remains a critical challenge for policymakers.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Julio Noriega, a U.S. Citizen, Detained by ICE Over Mistaken Identity
• University of Alabama Student Held by ICE Moved to Louisiana Facility
• Russian scientist working at Harvard Medical School detained by ICE at Boston airport
• USCIS Broadens Use of Notices to Appear
• ICE Notifies Florida County of Deportation Orders for 10,000 Residents
