ICE Deputizes Thousands of Local Officers for Enforcement
The number of local police empowered to perform immigration duties has doubled in eight months to meet federal targets.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Immigration
Live Poll
Should your local police participate in federal immigration enforcement programs?
Between January 2025 and October 2026, the number of state and local law enforcement officers deputized through the federal 287(g) program surged to more than 29,000. This expansion empowers local police to conduct immigration enforcement alongside standard duties, backed by $3 billion in new federal and state funding.
Why it matters
The Department of Homeland Security is leveraging these expanded partnerships to supplement the workforce of the 11,600 deportation officers directly employed by ICE. Agencies are increasingly joining the program to secure federal financial support for staff, new vehicles, and equipment.
The federal 287(g) program has facilitated over 47,000 immigration arrests between January 2025 and August 2026, with Florida and Texas agencies accounting for half that total. The Justice Department has committed $3 billion in funding to support participating state and local law enforcement.
The players
ICE
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is the federal body responsible for enforcing federal laws governing border control and customs.
Department of Homeland Security
This cabinet-level department is responsible for public security, including border and immigration enforcement across the United States.
Justice Department
The United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of federal law and the administration of justice.
The details
Deputized local police are playing a dominant role in immigration enforcement, with such officers responsible for 77% of total immigration arrests in Wyoming during April 2026. Similar trends were recorded in June 2026, where the program accounted for 60% of immigration arrests in New Hampshire and nearly 50% in Oklahoma.
Timeline
The 287(g) program was originally established in the 1990s.
National 287(g) arrests totaled over 47,000 between January 2025 and August 2026.
Wyoming arrest shares exceeded 60% monthly beginning in November 2025.
Deputized officers made 77% of state immigration arrests in Wyoming during April 2026.
Immigration arrests spiked in New Hampshire and Oklahoma during June 2026.
Political Context
The expansion of the 287(g) program follows a broader trend of increasing the federal government's reach by delegating enforcement duties to local partners. Opponents often argue that these partnerships blur the lines between local police and federal immigration authorities, potentially undermining community trust.
Citizens may see a more direct involvement of local police in federal immigration matters, which could lead to changes in local law enforcement priorities and resource allocation. These policy shifts may impact the frequency of interactions between residents and local agencies regarding immigration status.
The takeaway
The surge in deputized officers underscores a significant shift toward localizing federal enforcement responsibilities. Readers should be aware that local law enforcement agencies are increasingly integrating federal immigration duties as they secure additional state and federal funding.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of enforcement policy in the Immigration section.
Live Poll
Should your local police participate in federal immigration enforcement programs?
