ICE’s 287(g) Program

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.

The 287(g) Program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and remove incarcerated criminal noncitizens who are amenable to removal from the U.S. before they are released into the community.

ICE recognizes the importance of its relationships with its law enforcement partners to carry out its critical mission.

The 287(g) program allows ICE — through the delegation of specified immigration officer duties — to enhance collaboration with state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of noncitizens who undermine the safety of our nation’s communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.

287(g) Program Models

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations operates two 287(g) models:

• The Jail Enforcement Model is designed to identify and process removable noncitizens — with criminal or pending criminal charges — who are arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies.
• The Warrant Service Officer program allows ICE to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on noncitizens in their agency’s jail.

How to Participate

Participating jurisdictions sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with ICE. State and local law enforcement officers participating in the 287(g) Program must possess U.S. citizenship, complete and pass a background investigation, and have knowledge of and have enforced laws and regulations related to law enforcement activities at their jurisdictions.

If interested in becoming a law enforcement partner under the 287(g) Program, state and local law enforcement agencies may contact ICE at ERO287g@ice.dhs.gov.

Participating Entities

As of February 2024, ICE has 287(g) JEM agreements with 61 law enforcement agencies in 17 states. ICE also has 287(g) WSO with 75 law enforcement agencies in 11 states.

The purpose of the 287(g) steering committee is to discuss program oversight and direction, identify issues and concerns regarding immigration enforcement activities, increase transparency, and offer community stakeholders opportunities to communicate their community-level perspectives. The intent of the steering committee meetings it to educate stakeholders on how ICE supports safer communities and improves national security, while gaining community-level perspective on 287(g) program operations.

If you are experiencing issues with attending a local steering committee meeting, you may contact ICE at ERO287g@ice.dhs.gov.