By Rashad James, Policy Associate
As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity intensifies across the country, many communities are left asking: How is this happening here? What role does our local law enforcement agency (LEA) play, particularly under the federal 287(g) program that enables ICE to deputize local officers to exercise certain immigration enforcement functions? And what can we do to protect our neighbors?
To understand these relationships, we must consider the concepts of justice and accountability. The collaboration between LEAs and ICE often increases the risk of detention and deportation for Black and Brown immigrant communities, for even minor offenses or civil immigration violations. These actions create an atmosphere of fear and long-term trauma, which can have lasting effects on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, these practices erode trust in public safety systems and deepen racialized patterns of policing and surveillance.
Whether you reside in an urban hub or a rural town, it’s critical to know how your LEA may interact with ICE. Clear, factual information empowers community members, policymakers, and public safety officials to push for equitable, open, data-driven, and humane practices.
This guide provides practical steps for seeking this information and understanding the potential risks to your community.
Questions to Ask:
- Does your local LEA or sheriff’s department participate in the 287(g) program?
- What is your local LEA’s policy on data sharing with ICE?
- What is your local LEA’s policy on ICE administrative warrants?
- Does your local jail honor ICE detainer requests or notify ICE of release dates?
- Has your town ever received federal grant funding with immigration enforcement cooperation conditions?
- Does your district or county attorney’s office voluntarily collaborate with federal prosecutors or ICE on nonviolent undocumented cases?
- Has your town or local LEA been named in any ICE cooperation reports or executive order lists?
- Does your town or state have sanctuary laws or policies restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement?
How to Get Answers:
- Partner or volunteer with local immigration advocacy groups, as they often track and document interactions between local LEAs and ICE. These organizations can provide guidance that is tailored to the specific needs of your community.
- Attend city council or LEA public meetings to testify and ask questions on the record.
- Submit public records requests.
- Review local budget documents for federal law enforcement grants or memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
- Submit media inquiries, as public pressure campaigns can effectively compel authorities to provide answers.
By asking straightforward questions and demanding transparency, communities can transform immigration enforcement from back-room agreements to proactive, community-driven initiatives. Ultimately, this effort is about ensuring that public safety decisions align with the values and priorities of the community.
Resources for Action:
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