Section 287(g) agreements are signed between local Sheriff's offices and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under which local police officers are emboldened to act as ICE agents, allowing them to investigate immigration status, detain individuals, and begin deportation processes, depending on the type of 287(g) agreement signed in that county. 

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There are three types of 287(g) agreements:

• Jail Enforcement Model

  • Local officers can interrogate individuals with criminal charges or pending criminal charges who are housed at the local jail or correctional facility to determine immigration status and can notify ICE before non-citizens are released.

• Warrant Service Model

  • Local officers may serve and execute administrative warrants issued by ICE within the local jail or correctional facility, but may not interrogate individuals about their immigration status. 

  • An administrative warrant is issued by a federal agency and allows for the arrest of the named person, but does not allow for entry onto private property. 

• Task Force Model

  • Local officers have delegated authority to question and arrest people for immigration violations, including in public spaces and at the individual’s home.

 

Law enforcement performs vital services for rural communities. 287(g) agreements redirect officers in a way that leaves gaps in the services they typically provide. 287(g) erodes trust between local officers and their communities, undermining public safety. Immigrant families, and those who employ immigrants, may fear reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement because of 287(g) agreements.​