Georgia Sheriffs Join 287(g) Program to Support ICE on Immigration Enforcement

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Key Takeaways

Georgia sheriffs adopt the 287(g) program, enabling collaboration with ICE to enforce immigration laws, mainly within local jails.
H.B. 1105 mandates stricter immigration enforcement in Georgia, increasing ICE detainer compliance despite financial and community trust challenges.
The 287(g) program divides opinion, with supporters citing safety and critics warning of racial profiling and neglected local priorities.

Georgia sheriffs are stepping up efforts to address illegal immigration by joining a federal initiative known as the 287(g) program. This program allows local law enforcement to work directly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and detain individuals who are living in the U.S. without legal status. Through this partnership, sheriffs’ departments in Georgia have gained additional authority to enforce immigration laws, specifically within local jails.

How the 287(g) Program Works

Under the 287(g) program, certain local police officers are provided with specialized training to carry out limited immigration enforcement duties. These duties include interviewing people in custody about their immigration status, accessing federal immigration databases, and transferring undocumented individuals into ICE custody. While ICE supervises the program, the heavy lifting is typically done by local officers. This approach has been embraced by Georgia sheriffs keen to strengthen their collaboration with federal authorities.

Georgia Sheriffs Join 287(g) Program to Support ICE on Immigration Enforcement

The program has evolved over the years. Early versions included tasks like neighborhood patrols, where officers actively sought undocumented individuals through traffic stops or other community-based enforcement. However, these practices were scrapped in 2012 amid accusations of racial profiling and misuse of authority. Now, the program is restricted to activities carried out within jails, such as identifying inmates whose immigration status may warrant ICE’s attention.

287(g) in Georgia

Georgia has been an active participant in the 287(g) program. Historically, counties like Cobb, Gwinnett, Hall, and Whitfield were among the first in the state to adopt this program in the late 2000s. More recently, other jurisdictions like Bartow and Floyd counties, along with the Georgia Department of Corrections, have joined the initiative. According to ICE, by January 2025, 34 jurisdictions in Georgia will be operating under the program.

This expansion mirrors a broader national trend in which state and local authorities are playing a greater role in immigration enforcement. Many of these changes have been driven by policy shifts following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as political priorities under different presidential administrations. For instance, the program gained renewed momentum after President Trump took office in 2017, leading to a significant increase in the number of jurisdictions signing onto 287(g) agreements.

Impacts on Immigrant Communities

The effects of the 287(g) program on immigrant communities in Georgia have been profound. Gwinnett County, for example, once accounted for a staggering one-fifth of all 287(g)-related ICE encounters in the entire U.S. The county was frequently notifying ICE about undocumented individuals held in local jails, making it one of the most active participants in the country.

However, the program has faced pushback from various community groups. Immigrant advocates, business leaders, and local faith organizations have argued that it erodes trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. Some residents, including crime victims, may hesitate to report incidents for fear that any interaction with police could lead to deportation. This concern led to a notable shift in 2021 when newly elected sheriffs in both Gwinnett and Cobb counties decided to pull out of the program. They prioritized improving community relationships over continuing the collaboration with ICE, citing concerns about deterrence of crime reporting and strained public trust.

This decision also resulted in a decrease in ICE detentions within these counties. However, it stands as an exception in Georgia, as the state government has been moving in a different direction.

Legislation and Expansion: H.B. 1105

On May 1, 2024, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed H.B. 1105 into law. Known as the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024, this legislation marks a major escalation in the state’s immigration enforcement strategy. The law requires local law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue federal agreements, such as the 287(g) program, while also expanding restrictions on sanctuary policies, which aim to limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

H.B. 1105 also mandates strict compliance with ICE detainers. These detainers are requests from ICE to hold individuals who may be undocumented beyond their normal release time. While the intent is to give ICE time to take custody, detainers come with risks. Between 2007 and 2015, nearly 700 U.S. citizens were wrongly detained through ICE detainers, sparking legal challenges resulting in millions of dollars in damages. These costs are often borne by local governments, adding to the financial burden of participating in programs like 287(g).

Financial and Resource Challenges

Running the 287(g) program is not cheap. Before ending its participation in 2021, Gwinnett County spent an estimated $3.7 million annually managing ICE detainers and implementing the program. This strain is felt most acutely by smaller jurisdictions with limited resources. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute has criticized H.B. 1105 for placing an expensive mandate on local agencies, arguing that it takes resources away from pressing local priorities such as public safety and community services.

Additionally, sheriffs face the challenge of balancing the demands of H.B. 1105 with existing responsibilities. Some have raised concerns about the program leading to overcrowded jails and overburdened staff, particularly as communities are mandated to detain individuals for longer periods under ICE detainers.

A Divisive Debate

The 287(g) program has sparked heated debates about the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration matters. Supporters argue that the program enhances public safety by removing so-called “criminal aliens.” ICE data indicates that, since enhanced information-sharing measures were introduced in 2008, over 77,000 criminal aliens have been deported. This includes more than 28,000 individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder and sexual abuse.

Critics, however, argue that the program’s costs outweigh its benefits. They claim it often leads to racial profiling and diverts attention from local priorities. By focusing on federal immigration enforcement, critics say law enforcement agencies may neglect other pressing community safety issues.

The decision to strengthen cooperation with ICE has differing consequences, depending on the county’s specific needs and priorities. For example, jurisdictions like Bartow may view the 287(g) program as a tool to reduce crime, while urban areas with larger immigrant populations may find it counterproductive to fostering community trust.

Broader Context

Georgia’s expansion of the 287(g) program highlights larger national trends. While some states and municipalities, such as California and New York, have sought to limit cooperation with ICE, others are taking a more aggressive stance. Policies like H.B. 1105 place Georgia squarely in the camp of states boosting their involvement in immigration enforcement.

Programs like 287(g) raise questions about the extent to which state and local governments should enforce federal immigration laws. While the federal government has ultimate authority over immigration matters, partnerships like 287(g) blur these lines, with significant implications for local communities.

Moving Forward

As Georgia implements tougher immigration laws under H.B. 1105 and more counties commit to the 287(g) program, the state finds itself at a crossroads. By expanding its role in federal immigration enforcement, Georgia sheriffs are both responding to and shaping the political landscape of immigration in the U.S. However, the considerable financial, legal, and community relations challenges tied to these efforts cannot be ignored.

Counties participating in 287(g) must carefully weigh its impact on public safety and community trust. As reported by VisaVerge.com, Georgia’s role as a leader in local-federal partnerships will likely influence both state and national immigration policies moving forward. The outcomes of these programs in Georgia may serve as a bellwether for other jurisdictions considering similar initiatives.

For anyone interested in more details or official updates about the 287(g) program, ICE provides comprehensive resources on its official page. By examining the path Georgia is taking, stakeholders can better understand the evolving relationship between local enforcement efforts and federal immigration reform.

Georgia sheriffs ramp up immigration enforcement with ICE partnership
Georgia sheriffs are increasingly joining the 287(g) program, a federal initiative that partners local law enforcement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to tackle illegal immigration. The move has spurred debate and raised concerns about its impact on communities, law enforcement practices, and resources.

Why it matters:
The expansion of 287(g) in Georgia reflects a broader trend of devolving federal immigration enforcement responsibilities to local agencies. Critics and advocates are divided on whether the program promotes public safety or undermines immigrant trust in law enforcement.

The big picture:
– 287(g) overview: The program deputizes local officers to carry out certain ICE functions, such as identifying undocumented immigrants in custody, checking federal databases, and transferring individuals to ICE custody.
– Georgia’s participation: As of January 2025, 34 jurisdictions in Georgia are signed up for the program, including Bartow and Floyd counties, alongside four long-term participants—Cobb, Gwinnett, Hall, and Whitfield.
– New legislation: Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 1105 in 2024, mandating local agencies to pursue immigration enforcement agreements and comply with ICE detainers.

By the numbers:
– Nationwide, 47 of the current 76 287(g) agreements began after 2017, signaling a major expansion under the Trump administration.
– Between 2008 and 2015, ICE removed over 77,000 individuals identified via local collaborations, including more than 28,000 convicted of felonies like murder and sexual assault.
– Gwinnett County spent an estimated $3.7 million annually on its 287(g) program before opting out in 2021.

What they’re saying:
– Supporters: Proponents argue the program strengthens public safety by removing dangerous individuals. “This partnership ensures that criminal aliens don’t return to our communities,” ICE has stated.
– Opponents: Immigrant advocates and local officials criticize the program for fostering distrust and diverting resources. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute warns H.B. 1105 “strips scarce resources from local governments.”

Between the lines:
The 287(g) program’s application has shifted significantly over time.
– Early iterations included street-level enforcement, such as traffic stops, but were phased out in 2012 after allegations of racial profiling.
– Today, collaboration primarily focuses on individuals already in custody, but implementation varies by jurisdiction, affecting community perceptions and outcomes.

Yes, but:
Not all Georgia jurisdictions have embraced the program. In 2021, Gwinnett and Cobb counties exited, citing community relations concerns and the potential chilling effect on crime reporting by immigrant victims.

State of play:
H.B. 1105 forces local jurisdictions into closer cooperation with ICE but introduces substantial risks:
– Legal liabilities: Local agencies could face litigation for wrongful detentions due to ICE detainers. Past incidents nationwide have led to millions in settlements.
– Resource strain: Jailing individuals longer to comply with new policies strains local law enforcement budgets and capacity.

The bottom line:
The growing adoption of the 287(g) program in Georgia underscores the state’s increasingly aggressive stance on immigration enforcement. While proponents see it as a tool for public safety, critics argue it imposes legal and financial burdens on communities while eroding trust between law enforcement and immigrants. The long-term impact will depend on how participating jurisdictions manage these tensions.

Learn Today

287(g) Program: A federal initiative allowing local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE in identifying and detaining undocumented individuals.
ICE Detainers: Requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for local law enforcement to hold individuals believed to be undocumented.
Sanctuary Policies: Local or state policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect undocumented residents.
H.B. 1105: Georgia legislation mandating stricter enforcement of immigration laws and participation in federal programs like the 287(g) program.
Racial Profiling: Discriminatory practice of targeting individuals for suspicion based on race, ethnicity, or national origin instead of evidence.

This Article in a Nutshell

Georgia sheriffs are amplifying immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program. This federal-local partnership empowers trained officers to identify undocumented individuals in jails, triggering debates. Supporters claim it enhances safety, while critics argue it fosters mistrust and drains resources. As Georgia expands participation, balancing public safety with community trust remains a critical challenge ahead.
— By VisaVerge.com