The 287(g) Program: A Force Multiplier for Immigration Enforcement

The Center for Immigration Studies releases a new podcast episode focusing on the 287(g) program, an ICE initiative that empowers and trains local law enforcement to help identify and detain illegal aliens involved in criminal activity. The Center’s director of policy studies Jessica Vaughan joins host Mark Krikorian to explain how the program works, why it matters, and what’s next.

Highlights include:

• What is 287(g)?
  • A federal program established in 1996 that deputizes state and local law enforcement officers to perform certain ICE functions under ICE supervision.
• The Three Models:
  • Jail Enforcement Model – Officers in the jail have access to DHS databases to investigate the immigration status of inmates, conduct interviews, and even start the deportation process by issuing charging documents.
  • Warrant Service Officer Model – Officers serve ICE warrants and can detain and transport aliens to ICE custody.
  • Task Force/Street Model – Officers can identify and detain aliens encountered during routine police work. In addition, agencies can address specific crime problems related to illegal immigration, such as drug or human trafficking, gangs, or identity theft, but this model has not yet been reinstated by the Trump administration.
• Training & Oversight:
  • Officers receive ICE training in immigration law and civil rights protections. Agreements are regularly audited to prevent abuse of authority.
• Policy Shifts:
  • Under Biden: No new agreements accepted, funding cut, most existing agreements terminated; at the end of his term only 43 active agreements were still in effect.
  • Under Trump & Post-2024: Program rapidly expanding – now 635 agreements in 40 states, with Texas and Florida mandating statewide participation.
• Why It Matters:
  • 287(g) is a force multiplier that helps areas underserved by ICE or in areas where the criminal alien caseload exceeds ICE’s resources, ensuring criminal aliens don’t slip through the cracks.

In today’s commentary, host Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director, highlights the return of the “Maryland man,” Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to face federal prosecution. What can be learned from the legal battle and the coverage and reaction to the case?

Host

Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies

Guest

Jessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies.

Related

Learn more about 287(g) program at ICE.gov

The 287(g) Program: Protecting Home Towns and Homeland

Biden Administration Changes ICE’s 287(g) Page and Admits There is a Hold on Program

We Are All Less Safe: Biden Targets ICE Law Enforcement Program

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Is Back — to Face Federal Prosecution: Key takeaways from the grand jury indictment and the AG’s press conference

Intro Montage

Voices in the opening montage:

• Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
• Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
• President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
• Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
• Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
• Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
• Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
• Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
• Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
• Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
• Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".