A Staggering Surge in Participation (Image Credits: Media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com)
Washington – Partnerships between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local law enforcement agencies have surged dramatically during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term.
A Staggering Surge in Participation
Agreements under ICE’s 287(g) program rocketed from 135 agencies during the Biden administration to 1,168 as of January 26, marking a 950% increase, according to an analysis of ICE data by the nonpartisan group FWD.us.[1][2]
That figure exceeded the 150 agencies active at the end of Trump’s first term. The expansion now spans 39 states, with ICE reporting 1,415 memorandums of agreement across 40 states by mid-February.[3]
Florida and Texas led the growth, followed by other Southern and Midwestern states.
- Florida: 342 agreements
- Texas: 296 agreements
- Tennessee: 63 agreements
- Pennsylvania: 58 agreements
- Alabama: 52 agreements
ICE trained over 8,500 local officers by late last year, with thousands more in the pipeline.[4][2]
The Mechanics of the 287(g) Program
Congress authorized the 287(g) program in 1996 to delegate certain federal immigration duties to state, local, and tribal officers under ICE supervision. Agencies operate under models such as jail enforcement, where officers identify removable individuals in custody, or the task force model, which deputizes officers for proactive enforcement during routine patrols.[3]
The Obama administration halted the task force model in 2012 amid racial profiling allegations in places like Maricopa County, Arizona. Trump officials revived it early in his second term, alongside jail and warrant service options.[1]
ICE described the effort as vital for community safety. “The program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens,” the agency stated on its website.[3]
| Period | Active Agencies |
|---|---|
| Biden Administration | 135 |
| End of Trump’s First Term | 150 |
| January 2026 (Trump’s Second Term) | 1,168 |
Incentives Power the Rapid Adoption
New federal funding accelerated sign-ups after ICE announced a revised model in September 2025. Agencies received $7,500 per trained officer for equipment, $100,000 for vehicles, and up to 25% overtime pay, with some reimbursements covering full salaries and performance bonuses.[1][2]
FWD.us estimated that state and local partners could gain $1.4 billion to $2 billion this year alone, potentially dwarfing other federal grants for policing.[1]
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order urging state agencies to join, even as some cities resisted.[1]
Warnings of Profiling and Community Harm
Not all jurisdictions embraced the program. Dallas Police rejected a proposal, fearing it would divert officers from core duties. Montgomery County, Maryland, officials affirmed they enforce only judicial warrants, not civil immigration holds.[1]
Civil rights advocates raised alarms over past abuses. Felicity Rose of FWD.us warned of community effects like reduced school attendance and health care access, as fear keeps residents indoors. “The fear is that the quotas and surveillance we have seen from ICE is spreading across the country in a wider way,” she said.[1]
Former DHS civil rights officials echoed those concerns, noting dismantled oversight and risks of racial profiling. Arrests via 287(g) climbed to 7,000 from January to mid-October 2025, up from 3,000 the prior year.[5]
Key Takeaways
- 287(g) agreements grew from 135 to over 1,100 agencies in one year, spanning 40 states.
- Federal incentives total up to $2 billion, reviving a controversial task force model.
- Critics highlight civil rights risks, while ICE emphasizes criminal removals.
This fusion of local and federal enforcement promises to reshape immigration operations but fuels debates on priorities and protections. What impact will it have on your community? Tell us in the comments.
