U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is rapidly expanding its controversial 287(g) program, deputizing a record number of local police officers to enforce federal immigration law during routine policing.
Since January 2025, ICE has initiated 514 new 287(g) agreements across 40 states, bringing the total to nearly 650 active partnerships nationwide. The expansion is particularly aggressive in Republican-led states like Florida and Arizona, where new laws and executive orders have mandated or strongly encouraged participation by local law enforcement agencies. In Florida alone, there are now 277 agreements as of June 2025.
A key feature of the current expansion is the resurrection of the “Task Force Model,” which authorizes local officers to enforce immigration laws during routine patrols and community interactions, not just in jails. Through formal agreements known as Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), selected local officers receive authority to perform a range of federal immigration duties. These include interviewing individuals about their immigration status, checking federal databases, issuing immigration detainers, and initiating removal proceedings.
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of 287(g) is its documented association with racial profiling and strained community-police relations. Investigations by the Department of Justice found patterns of unconstitutional policing in Arizona’s Maricopa County and North Carolina’s Alamance County, where Latino drivers were disproportionately targeted and detained. Studies indicate that the program fosters environments conducive to racial profiling, not only in participating jurisdictions but also in neighboring areas.
The program’s focus has also been criticized for targeting individuals with minor or no criminal history. Analyses show that many detainers are issued for misdemeanors or traffic offenses, rather than serious crimes.
Supporters argue that the program helps identify and remove individuals who pose public safety threats, especially those with pending or active criminal charges. ICE describes the program’s main goal as increasing the safety and security of communities by apprehending and removing undocumented immigrants involved in violent and serious crimes.
Multiple studies, including a comprehensive analysis funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, have found that 287(g) agreements did not produce statistically significant reductions in crime. While some localities saw declines in crime rates after implementation, these trends were not consistently greater than those in similar communities without 287(g) agreements, and there is no clear causal link.
Peer-reviewed research using national crime victimization data found that activation of 287(g) task force agreements significantly increased the risk of violent victimization among Latinos, by as much as 111% in affected communities. These policies did not reduce crime but instead eroded security for Latino residents.
Additionally, law enforcement groups, including the Police Executive Research Forum and the Major Cities Chiefs Association, have warned that the 287(g) program damages trust between police and immigrant communities. This leads to fewer crime reports, less cooperation with investigations, and diminished ability for police to solve crimes, ultimately undermining public safety for everyone.
