ICE calling law enforcement in all counties to help with deportation efforts

Widespread misinformation and confusion exists about a federal program, 287(g), administered through the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, some in local law enforcement say. Prior to 9/11, the program was administered through the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Congress created the program through the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1996, which has been in operation ever since. The Trump administration is advocating three models; previous administrations primarily used one. Some law enforcement officials have opposed participating in 287(g), claiming it will cost them time and money they don’t have. Others argue it’s the federal government’s, not the state or local jurisdiction’s, responsibility.

Federal training is free, the Department of Justice provides grants, and many of the duties already fall within law enforcement tasks officers have sworn an oath to perform, namely, arresting people for state crimes and processing them in their local or state jails. Participating in 287(g) provides additional tools and collaboration with federal partners who have a behemoth task of finding, arresting and removing millions of illegal foreign nationals, including violent criminals already detained in local and state jails.