Partner With ICE Through the 287(g) Program
State and local law enforcement agencies can partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to keep their communities safer through the 287(g) program.
The 287(g) Program allows your law enforcement agency to enforce certain aspects of U.S. immigration law, expanding your department’s authority to:
- Identify and process removable aliens with pending or active criminal charges.
- Enforce limited immigration authorities with ICE oversight during routine duties.
- Serve and execute administrative warrants on removable aliens in your jail.
What’s in It for Your Law Enforcement Agency?
The 287(g) Program benefits state and local law enforcement agencies in several ways — but most notably, it helps you keep your community safe from potentially dangerous criminal aliens. Your law enforcement officers will get access to ICE resources and training. ICE covers the cost of training (see the later section, “287(g) Training Available to State and Local Law Enforcement,” for more information).
- Your agency or office may be eligible for the Department of Justice’s State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. This Department of Justice program administers SCAAP awards and provides federal funding to states and political subdivisions of states, including municipalities that incur costs for incarcerating certain criminal aliens. This is entirely separate from the 287(g) program.
3 Ways Your Agency Can Help
ICE has three 287(g) Program models. Your law enforcement agency can use one or more of the following to keep your community safe:
- The Jail Enforcement Model. The Jail Enforcement Model allows your officers to identify and process removable aliens currently in your jail or detention facility who have pending or active criminal charges while they’re in your custody.
- The Task Force Model. The Task Force Model allows your officers to enforce limited immigration authority while performing routine police duties, such as identifying an alien at a DUI checkpoint and sharing information directly with ICE. An ICE supervisor determines next steps. These officers may also exercise limited immigration authority as active participants on ICE-led task forces.
- The Warrant Service Officer Program. Under the Warrant Service Officer Program, ICE trains, certifies and authorizes your officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens currently in your agency’s custody.
287(g) Training Available to State and Local Law Enforcement
After your law enforcement agency joins the 287(g) program, ICE will train your officers in:
- Immigration law.
- Multicultural communication.
- Avoiding racial profiling.
How to Sign Up for the 287(g) Program
If you’re a decisionmaker interested in keeping your community safer by signing up your agency to participate in the 287(g) program, you can start the process today. Here’s how:
- Complete a signed letter of interest.
- Fill out a memorandum of agreement for the program model you want to use.
- Submit your letter of interest and memorandum of agreement to ERO287g@ICE.dhs.gov.
Get your letter of interest templates and memoranda of agreement here:
| Jail Enforcement Model | Task Force Model | Warrant Service Officer Program | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter of Interest | JEM Letter of Interest | TFM Letter of Interest | WSO Letter of Interest |
| Memorandum of Agreement | JEM Memorandum of Agreement (fillable) | TFM Memorandum of Agreement (fillable) | WSO Memorandum of Agreement |
287(g) FAQ
Check out these frequently asked questions about the 287(g) program. If you don’t see the answer to your question here, send us a note at ERO287g@ICE.dhs.gov.
How Does the 287(g) Program Promote Public Safety?
With a 287(g) partnership, state and local law enforcement agencies and ICE work together to deport removable aliens involved in gang activity, violent crimes, human smuggling, organized crime, sex offenses, drug smuggling, money laundering and many other crimes. This expanded cooperation keeps our communities safer for our families, friends and loved ones.
Why is It Called the 287(g) Program?
The 287(g) Program is named for Section 287(g)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes ICE to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and supervision.
How Much Does 287(g) Training Cost?
ICE bears the cost of 287(g) training for law enforcement agencies.
How Can I Convince My Chief or Sheriff to Participate in 287(g)?
ICE has several resources, including this page, that can help you show your chief, sheriff or team all the benefits the 287(g) Program provides. From here, you can also download and print ICE’s:
You can also view all 287(g) participating agencies here to show how many communities are leveraging ICE resources to keep their residents safer.
Keeping Our Communities Safer, One Jurisdiction at a Time
If you’re ready to use ICE’s free resources to keep your community safer, we’re here. Email ERO287g@ICE.dhs.gov with questions or submit your letter of interest and memorandum of interest today.