What is a 287(g) Agreement? Named after Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these agreements allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deputize state and local law enforcement officers to perform federal immigration functions. While historically limited to jails, the program has evolved into three distinct models: Jail Enforcement Model: Officers identify and process removable non-citizens already in local custody. Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Model: Deputized officers execute administrative warrants of removal. Task Force Model (TFM): The most controversial model, where officers can interrogate and arrest individuals for immigration violations during "routine" duties, like traffic stops. The 2026 Surge: Data and Trends The scale of expansion over the last year is unprecedented. According to recent reports from the ACLU and FWD.us: Massive Growth: Participation has surged from approximately 135 agreements in early 2025 to over 1,370 agreemen...
