Federal 287(g) Immigration Agreements Have Increased
The federal government reached 2,608 active agreements with local police departments as of October 1.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Immigration
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Should your local police department assist federal authorities with immigration enforcement?
The federal government has aggressively expanded its 287(g) partnerships with local law enforcement, ballooning to 2,608 active agreements by October 1, 2026. This surge follows the Trump administration's policy priority of utilizing local agencies to assist in mass deportation efforts.
Why it matters
Federal funding serves as a significant budget incentive for local jurisdictions to participate in federal immigration enforcement. By utilizing the task force model, the federal government has effectively integrated local police into detention and transfer operations.
The federal government reports 2,608 active 287(g) agreements as of October 1, representing a massive increase from the 135 agreements active in January 2025. The Secure America Act provided $31 billion for the implementation of these partnerships.
The players
Donald Trump
As the current President of the United States, he has prioritized mass deportation enforcement as a central pillar of his administration.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
This federal agency is the primary body responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing the 287(g) partnership program.
Florida Highway Patrol
This state-level law enforcement agency is eligible for $26 million in federal reimbursements for its participation in 287(g) programs.
The details
Under the task force model, which accounts for over 71% of these agreements, local officers are empowered to detain and transfer individuals directly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Florida Highway Patrol has been designated as eligible for $26 million in federal reimbursements for these enforcement activities.
Timeline
The 287(g) partnership program was originally created by law in 1996.
Donald Trump took office in January 2025.
ICE recorded 43,000 immigration arrests in June 2026.
ICE recorded 49,000 immigration arrests in July 2026.
The total count of 287(g) agreements reached 2,608 on October 1, 2026.
Political Context
While the federal government pushes for expanded local cooperation, twelve states currently maintain no 287(g) agreements, citing concerns over local resources. Opposition groups and civil rights advocates argue that these partnerships blur the lines between community policing and federal immigration enforcement.
Taxpayers in participating jurisdictions may see shifts in how local police resources are deployed, as departments prioritize enforcement activities eligible for federal reimbursement. Citizens in states with restrictive cooperation laws may experience different levels of interaction between local authorities and federal agents.
The takeaway
The rapid expansion of local-federal immigration partnerships represents a significant shift in how federal enforcement is executed at the municipal level. Readers should be aware that local police duties may now include tasks previously reserved for federal agents in jurisdictions participating in these programs.
Further reading
For more background on federal enforcement policies, visit our guide on Immigration.
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Should your local police department assist federal authorities with immigration enforcement?
