On September 17, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a sweeping expansion of their controversial 287(g) program, forging partnerships with more than 1,000 state and local law enforcement agencies across 40 states. This historic surge, up from just 135 agreements at the start of the year, marks a 641% increase and signals a renewed federal push to enlist local police in the enforcement of immigration law—a move that’s drawing both praise and fierce criticism from across the political spectrum.
According to reporting by Breitbart News and the Washington Examiner, the 287(g) program empowers state and local officers to act as de facto immigration agents, authorized to identify, detain, and help deport individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Under the stewardship of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the program has ballooned in scope, making it a central pillar of the Trump administration’s strategy to target and remove what it calls the “worst of the worst”—including murderers, gang members, rapists, terrorists, and pedophiles—from American communities.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, in a statement released Wednesday, underscored the administration’s priorities: “ICE is not only supercharging our hiring, we are also multiplying partnerships with state and local law enforcement to remove the worst of the worst, including murderers, gang members, rapists, terrorists, and pedophiles from our country.” Sheahan went on to urge law enforcement agencies nationwide to join the effort, adding, “By joining forces with ICE, you’re not just gaining access to these unprecedented reimbursement opportunities—you’re becoming part of a national effort to ensure the safety of every American family.”
The legal foundation for the 287(g) program dates back to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which amended the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit ICE to delegate certain immigration enforcement duties to local law enforcement. Participation is voluntary, with counties and states opting in at their discretion. The program gained traction during President George W. Bush’s tenure, was scaled back under President Barack Obama, and has now reached unprecedented levels under President Donald Trump’s renewed focus on mass deportation operations.
Florida has emerged as a key battleground in the expansion of 287(g) partnerships. Governor Ron DeSantis has been a vocal proponent, encouraging local and state police to become deputized and assist ICE. Since March, when a portion of the Florida Highway Patrol was brought into the fold, state troopers have encountered approximately 3,600 suspected illegal immigrants during traffic stops, all of whom were subsequently referred to federal authorities, according to a state official cited by the Washington Examiner. These referrals, combined with local police efforts, have significantly boosted the number of individuals ICE has apprehended for deportation.
The Trump administration’s aggressive stance is also backed by new financial incentives. Thanks to the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a reimbursement program has been introduced for agencies participating in 287(g). ICE now fully reimburses agencies for the annual salary and benefits of each trained 287(g) officer, including up to 25% overtime, and offers quarterly monetary performance awards for successful identification and handover of illegal immigrants. These incentives, officials say, are intended to make participation more attractive and to amplify the program’s reach.
“These historic partnerships serve as a ‘force multiplier’ to help federal agencies find, arrest, and deport illegal aliens,” Sheahan explained, emphasizing the administration’s belief that local partnerships are essential to the ambitious goal of removing a million undocumented immigrants by next January. With an estimated 14 million undocumented individuals residing in the United States, administration officials acknowledge the enormity of the task—and the necessity of local assistance.
Yet, as the program expands, so too does the controversy surrounding it. Critics point to a troubling history of abuses and constitutional violations. The American Immigration Council, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group, highlighted in a recent report that two Justice Department investigations found a “pattern and practice of constitutional violations” against Latino communities. “There are many documented problems with 287(g) agreements. They are an expensive use of taxpayer money,” the Council wrote. “ICE also provides insufficient supervision of local law enforcement agencies. But most egregiously, they have resulted in the widespread racial profiling of brown and black communities.”
These concerns are not new. Former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, under President Biden, actively sought to dismantle the 287(g) program, citing its “pernicious practices” and “widespread abuses.” While Biden campaigned on a promise to do away with the program, he was unable to fully eliminate it during his tenure, leaving the door open for its resurgence under the Trump administration.
The debate over 287(g) cuts across familiar political lines. Supporters argue that the program is a vital tool for keeping dangerous criminals off the streets and for restoring order to the nation’s immigration system. They point to the reimbursement program as a pragmatic solution that eases the financial burden on local agencies while contributing to public safety. “We encourage all state and local law enforcement agencies to sign a 287(g) agreement now,” Sheahan repeated, framing participation as both a patriotic duty and a practical benefit.
Opponents, however, warn of unintended consequences. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates caution that the program incentivizes racial profiling, erodes trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, and diverts resources from local policing priorities. They argue that the expansion of 287(g) risks further entrenching a system that disproportionately targets communities of color and undermines constitutional protections.
The practical realities on the ground are complex. While some states and cities have eagerly joined the program, others have resisted, citing concerns about community relations, legal liability, and the potential for civil rights violations. Participation remains voluntary, and local governments retain the discretion to opt out or limit their involvement.
As the 2025 presidential election looms, the fate of the 287(g) program has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over immigration policy. The Trump administration’s aggressive expansion, backed by financial incentives and a renewed sense of urgency, has energized supporters and alarmed critics in equal measure. With more than 1,000 agencies now on board, the coming months will test whether this unprecedented federal-local partnership delivers on its promises—or deepens the divisions that have long defined America’s immigration debate.
The stakes, both political and personal, could hardly be higher. For now, the expansion of 287(g) stands as a testament to the enduring—and contentious—role of local law enforcement in the nation’s ongoing struggle to define its borders, its values, and its future.
