Starting October 1, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will begin reimbursing local and state law enforcement agencies in South Carolina that participate in the federal 287(g) program. This initiative, funded by the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” aims to bolster partnerships by offering financial incentives for agencies and their officers to assist in immigration enforcement.
New Financial Incentives for Local Agencies
Under the new program, ICE will fully reimburse participating agencies for the annual salaries and benefits of each eligible trained 287(g) officer, including overtime coverage up to 25% of an officer’s annual salary. Beyond salary reimbursements, agencies can also qualify for quarterly performance awards ranging from $500 to $1,000 per eligible task force officer, contingent on their success in locating individuals identified by ICE as being in the country illegally. Agencies with a 90%-100% success rate will receive $1,000 per officer, 80%-89% will receive $750, and 70%-79% will receive $500.
These reimbursements and awards are intended to incentivize greater participation in the 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement officers to be deputized by the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws. Previously, local agencies bore the full cost of their employees’ time spent on immigration enforcement duties.
Understanding the 287(g) Program
Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies. These agreements allow specially trained local officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions, such as identifying, processing, and detaining individuals suspected of immigration violations. The program has been in place since 1996 and operates primarily under two models: the jail enforcement model and the task force model. The task force model, which allows officers to enforce immigration law during routine policing activities, is specifically mentioned in the recent announcement, though eligibility for other models remains unclear.
Expansion and Political Backing
The Trump administration has significantly expanded 287(g) partnerships nationwide, increasing them from 135 agreements to 958. In South Carolina, the number of participating agencies has grown substantially, from three to 26 since the administration took office. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has been a vocal supporter of the program, praising the administration’s commitment and stating that the program had previously “died on the vine” under the Biden administration. Graham has held roundtables and advocated for legislation to further incentivize state and local law enforcement participation.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan stated that the goal of these expanded partnerships is to “remove the worst of the worst,” including individuals with criminal records such as murderers, gang members, rapists, and terrorists, from the country. The funding for these enhanced reimbursement opportunities comes from appropriations approved in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Concerns and Criticisms
Despite the administration’s focus on public safety and removing criminal aliens, the 287(g) program has faced persistent criticism. Advocates and civil liberties groups argue that such partnerships can erode trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, potentially leading to racial profiling. Studies have indicated that the program has historically targeted individuals with little or no criminal history, and concerns remain about the lack of federal oversight in some instances. Critics also warn that involving local police in immigration enforcement may divert resources from addressing local crime and make immigrants, regardless of their status, hesitant to report crimes or cooperate with police, thereby undermining public safety.
Immigrant advocacy groups have raised alarms, with organizations like the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights describing the task force model as “the most dangerous and invasive” form of immigration enforcement. Past Justice Department investigations have cited instances of racial profiling and constitutional violations in jurisdictions with 287(g) agreements. The current news also highlights a broader debate about the entanglement of local policing with federal immigration enforcement and its potential consequences for community relations and the effective functioning of local law enforcement.
A Push for Nationwide Enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security’s announcement marks a significant push to leverage local law enforcement capabilities in its immigration enforcement strategy. By offering financial incentives, the administration seeks to encourage broader participation in the 287(g) program, aligning local efforts with federal priorities to address immigration. This development underscores the administration’s commitment to a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, while critics continue to voice concerns about its impact on civil liberties and community trust.
