ICE Brings Back Task Force Allowing Local Officers to Enforce Immigration

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Key Takeaways

• On February 7, 2025, Florida announced a partnership allowing state troopers to work with ICE in deporting undocumented immigrants.
• The revived 287(g) task force model empowers local officers to conduct street stops enforcing immigration laws, raising profiling concerns.
• As of late 2024, ICE maintained 135 agreements under 287(g) across 21 states, with further expansion expected under new directives.

The reintroduction of the task force model under the 287(g) program by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked widespread attention and debate. This model allows local law enforcement to stop individuals on the street and question their immigration status, a significant change in immigration enforcement policy initiated under President Donald Trump’s administration. With varying opinions about its effects on public safety and immigrant rights, the decision has reignited a national conversation about the balance between enforcement and civil liberties.

On February 7, 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new agreement between the Florida Highway Patrol and ICE. This partnership enables state troopers to assist ICE in identifying and deporting immigrants without legal status. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this policy aims to expand immigration enforcement practices. Florida 🏴, one of the program’s strongest supporters, has taken an active role in these efforts by requiring local agencies to cooperate with ICE or provide justifications for opting out.

ICE Brings Back Task Force Allowing Local Officers to Enforce Immigration

Task Force Model Resurfaces

The task force model, discontinued during the Obama administration due to concerns about racial profiling and civil rights violations, has made a return under this revised policy. Local law enforcement agencies now have the authority to investigate, arrest, and detain individuals suspected of lacking legal immigration status before transferring them to federal authorities. Supporters argue that this is a vital tool for addressing undocumented immigration at the local level. However, many critics raise concerns about its potential for abuse.

Tom Homan, President Trump’s appointed border czar, expressed plans to expand this effort further. Under this model, local officers may conduct street stops to check immigration status, giving rise to questions about oversight and potential misuse of authority. These officers are authorized to investigate immigration cases even if there is no direct connection to other criminal activity. This shift has raised legal and ethical concerns, as similar policies in the past faced accusations of profiling and fostering mistrust within immigrant communities.

Current Scope of the 287(g) Program

The 287(g) program, named after its section in the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows federal immigration functions to be delegated to local law enforcement. As of late 2024, ICE maintained 135 agreements with sheriff’s offices, police departments, and jail systems across 21 states. Florida 🏴, Texas 🏴, and North Carolina 🏴alone accounted for nearly two-thirds of these agreements. Requests from over 35 other jurisdictions remain pending, signaling continued interest in the program.

During President Biden’s tenure, no new agreements were signed, signifying a shift away from stringent local-federal immigration cooperation. However, President Trump reversed course on day one of his new term. By ordering the Department of Homeland Security to maximize these agreements, he is building momentum for a more robust implementation of the task force model nationwide.

Training and Evolution of the Program

The 287(g) program involves two primary participation models for local agencies:

Jail enforcement model: Officers receive four weeks of training and work primarily within jail systems. They identify inmates who may not have legal status in the U.S. and detain them for ICE processing.
Task force model: Officers undergo only eight hours of training and can execute federal immigration warrants in various settings, such as traffic stops or during routine patrols.

Proposals under the administration aim to further reduce training time to make onboarding more attractive for local law enforcement. Additionally, officials are exploring ways to loosen detention facility regulations to accommodate the anticipated rise in activity.

State-Level Actions to Strengthen Partnerships

Several states have moved toward making 287(g) participation mandatory or encouraging local agencies to adopt the program. These measures aim to bolster partnerships with ICE to increase deportation enforcement efforts:

Florida 🏴: Made headlines in 2022 as the first state to require that all county agencies with jail facilities join the program or provide reasons for non-compliance.
Georgia 🏴: Passed legislation in 2024 mandating participation following a tragic incident involving an undocumented immigrant, sparking calls for stricter oversight of immigration.
Texas 🏴: State lawmakers have shown growing interest in requiring or incentivizing agencies to join the program as part of broader efforts to curb illegal immigration.

These state-level pushes align with federal efforts to expand local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement.

Policy Changes and Oversight Improvements

Over time, ICE has introduced several modifications to the 287(g) program. These adjustments were made in response to audits by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General. Enhancements include:

Creating clearer guidelines for field offices overseeing 287(g) partnerships.
Requiring local officers to maintain accurate data on immigrant arrests and detentions.
Offering both initial and refresher training courses to officers involved in the program.
Increasing ICE supervisor presence for ensuring operational oversight.

In addition, a revised Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) introduced in 2013 updated the program’s legal framework. The revisions established thorough civil rights standards, detailed complaint procedures, and improved statistical reporting. ICE also aimed to improve training and media-related transparency around 287(g)-affiliated partnerships.

Controversies and Civil Rights Concerns

The task force program’s revival has fueled concerns regarding its potential for racial profiling and discriminatory practices. Historically, such fears have proven significant. For instance, in 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice conducted an investigation that revealed systemic racial profiling in Maricopa County, Arizona 🏴. Officers there were accused of disproportionately targeting Latino residents under the 287(g) program, despite assurances that such tactics were not permissible. The fallout from that investigation set the stage for discontinuing the task force program during the Obama administration.

As the program is revived, immigrant rights groups and critics are raising alarms that similar issues could resurface. One major concern is how trust between immigrant communities and local police might erode, especially if residents fear unwarranted street stops could target them unfairly. Such breakdowns could hinder cooperation in broader public safety efforts unrelated to immigration.

What Lies Ahead?

The revival of the task force model and expanded use of the 287(g) program are poised to leave lasting effects on immigration enforcement across the United States 🇺🇸. With more counties, cities, and states signing or seeking agreements, it is likely the role of local officers in federal immigration enforcement will grow in prominence.

However, any widespread adoption will not come without challenges. Legal and social battles are expected to follow, particularly from jurisdictions that oppose this increased collaboration with ICE. Critics may pursue lawsuits alleging violations of individual rights, profiling practices, or procedural overreach. Meanwhile, proponents point to potential benefits such as improved public safety and closer coordination between state and federal authorities.

Balancing Public Safety and Individual Rights

As debates continue, it remains to be seen whether this approach will achieve its intended goals. Supporters view the program as an essential tool for enforcing immigration laws and maintaining order. Opponents caution that it risks compromising the civil liberties of innocent individuals and deepening divisions in communities with diverse populations. In either case, the coming months will be crucial for observing how implementation unfolds and assessing its impact.

For individuals who wish to better understand this program, the Department of Homeland Security offers official resources detailing the 287(g) program here. This page provides factual information including how the program operates, press statements, and local jurisdictions participating in agreements.

In conclusion, as reported by VisaVerge.com, the rebirth of the task force model via the 287(g) program highlights a contentious shift in American immigration enforcement. While its proponents envision it as a means to reinforce the rule of law, its critics warn of its potential to harm the very communities it claims to serve. The lasting impacts—both positive and negative—may shape immigration policies and community relations for years to come. Whether the balance between security and freedom tips in favor of or against this program, it is clear that America’s immigration debate is far from settled.

Learn Today

287(g) program → A U.S. immigration policy allowing local law enforcement to perform federal immigration duties under ICE supervision.
Task force model → An enforcement model enabling local officers to investigate immigration status during street stops or routine activities.
Jail enforcement model → A system where local officers trained by ICE identify and detain individuals without legal immigration status in jail settings.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) → A legal document outlining roles, standards, and procedures for local agencies participating in the 287(g) program.
Racial profiling → Targeting individuals based on race, ethnicity, or national origin, rather than specific suspicion of wrongdoing.

This Article in a Nutshell

287(g): Balancing Enforcement and Rights

The controversial revival of the 287(g) task force model empowers local police to enforce immigration laws, reigniting debates on public safety versus civil liberties. While supporters claim it strengthens law enforcement, critics warn of racial profiling and community mistrust. As the U.S. grapples with immigration reform, this debate remains profoundly consequential.