Expansion of 287(g) Program in Texas
AUSTIN — The number of partnerships between local and state law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has significantly increased in the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term. This growth is largely attributed to the 287(g) program, which allows certain law enforcement officers to question an individual’s immigration status and, in some cases, arrest them if they suspect the person is in the country without proper legal authorization.
The 287(g) program has expanded across North Texas and aligns with broader efforts by federal and state officials to target undocumented migrants. The Trump administration has encouraged more law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE, aiming to increase the number of officers capable of arresting undocumented individuals. At the state level, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8 into law, requiring every Texas sheriff’s office with a jail to sign a 287(g) agreement with the federal government. These agreements must be signed by December 1, 2026, under the bill.
Currently, five law enforcement agencies in North Texas have joined the 287(g) program. Statewide, at least 169 agencies have entered into such agreements. Below is a list of North Texas agencies that have 287(g) agreements:
- Denton County Sheriff’s Office
The Denton County Sheriff’s Office entered into the agreement with ICE on July 29. It joined the jail enforcement model, allowing selected officers to investigate, interview, and detain individuals who are at the jail after being charged with a crime.
Denton County Sheriff Tracy Murphree discussed the agreement during a meeting with the Denton County Commissioner’s Court. He mentioned that he had previously attempted to join the 287(g) program a few years ago, but it was halted after President Joe Biden took office in 2020. After Trump's re-election, Murphree was approached again about joining the program.
“My folks will be able to put that detainer on them because they’ll have access to them immediately when they come in because they’ll have access to all those records,” Murphree said.
- Ellis County Sheriff’s Office
The sheriff’s office joined the jail enforcement model on April 16. During his 2020 campaign for sheriff, Brad Norman stated he would sign a 287(g) agreement to help identify undocumented migrants.
“I do not support illegal immigration,” Norman told a local media outlet. “If you came into this country illegally and you have broken the law, you should be removed.”
While acknowledging that enforcing federal immigration laws is primarily the responsibility of the federal government, Norman believed the sheriff’s office could contribute to addressing the issue without placing a burden on taxpayers.
- Keller Police Department
One of the few police departments in Texas with a 287(g) agreement, the Keller Police Department joined the program following unanimous approval from the city council in August. Keller Mayor Armin Mizani emphasized that public safety in the city was not up for negotiation.
Despite opposition from some residents, the City Council approved the jail enforcement agreement on August 5. The program is only enforced at the Keller Regional Detention Center, a holding facility for Keller and surrounding cities.
- Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
Rockwall County sheriff’s office first joined the 287(g) program in June 2020. During Trump’s second term, the office also joined the warrant service officer model and task enforcement model.
The warrant officer model limits local officers to serving immigration warrants to prisoners, while the task force model authorizes patrol officers to question and arrest individuals suspected of violating immigration laws.
- Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Tarrant County joined the program during the first Trump administration. Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn testified before the Texas Senate State Affairs committee earlier this year regarding Senate Bill 8.
“The jail model does make our communities safer,” Waybourn said. “It does get another set of eyes on things to make sure people don’t slip through the cracks and that it is targeting criminals. It has worked out very well for us.”
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