Trump's pledge to restore immigration enforcement isn't just campaign rhetoric - it's an essential reset for national security. ICE's officers and agents face an unprecedented crisis, constrained by years of policy restrictions and dismantled partnerships with local law enforcement. By rebuilding proven enforcement programs and restoring critical police partnerships, the Trump administration can transform America's immigration enforcement from its current limited capacity into an effective nationwide operation. This time, the focus must be on practical implementation, not political promises.
The reality in numbers: Under the current administration, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations made just 113,431 administrative arrests in 2024, with only 33,243 being at-large arrests. While that's better than 2021's 74,082 arrests, it shows how far we need to go. There is some good news, though—between 2020 and 2021, arrests of aggravated felons nearly doubled from 6,815 to 12,025, proving that focused enforcement works when properly resourced.
"It's time to get back to the basics and common sense in law enforcement," argues a former senior ICE official who previously managed the national 287(g) program, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This idea that the States can opine over the application of Federal immigration law is absurd. It is the divide between some States' unwillingness to support the enforcement of immigration laws, the Federal government's lack of political appetite to make them, and civil society's acceptance of both that has allowed for this unimaginable influx of illegal aliens to enter the country."
The 287(g) program, authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows ICE to delegate specified immigration enforcement authority to state and local agencies. Operating through two models - the Jail Enforcement Model, which identifies and processes removable noncitizens with criminal charges who are already in custody, and the Task Force Officer (TFO) model, which enables qualified law enforcement to perform immigration enforcement functions - this program acts as a force multiplier for federal immigration enforcement. "The TFO model was unceremoniously ended by Obama - which left a bad taste in the local PD's mouths," the former ICE official explains. This abrupt termination in 2012 significantly impacted local law enforcement partnerships, with many agencies that had invested resources in training and implementing the program feeling undermined. Only the Jail Enforcement Model remains active today, operating in just 60 jails across 16 states. With ICE's limited personnel, restoring and expanding these partnerships isn't just helpful - it's essential for any meaningful enforcement effort.
Recommended
The incoming administration must move quickly to provide substantial grant funding to bring more local agencies into the 287(g) program. The federal government must create a comprehensive grant system that covers training costs and overtime for officers handling immigration processing, additional personnel to manage increased workload, dedicated equipment and workspace for immigration enforcement activities, and administrative support staff. These grants should also include funding for holding space modifications where needed, technology upgrades to interface with ICE systems and ongoing training requirements. Local law enforcement agencies are already managing tight budgets and staffing shortages - asking them to take on federal immigration responsibilities without proper financial support is unrealistic. The administration should consider a tiered funding approach that provides additional incentives for agencies in major metropolitan areas where the potential impact on public safety is greatest. This funding package must also include provisions for legal defense support, as participating agencies often face litigation challenges that strain local resources. Without this kind of comprehensive federal support, even agencies interested in participating in immigration enforcement will find it difficult to justify the additional responsibilities to their local governing bodies and taxpayers.
The current political divide in 287(g) participation presents a significant challenge. The program operates mainly in red states, leaving major urban areas as enforcement blind spots. As the former ICE official notes, "Americans' laissez-faire attitude toward immigration is centered on a 'feeling-based' approach to deciding immigration policy. We hear things like - we are a country of immigrants or these people are just seeking a better life - all of which if mostly true and some are but others have nefarious intentions and seek to profit or are coming here to do real harm to our people by crossing our border illegally."
The consequences of this approach are clear. "At a macro level, the drain on societal resources is unsustainable - housing, hospitals, schools, public transportation, social services, etc. are quickly overwhelmed," the former official explains. "At the micro level, crime begins to affect individual citizens through violent crime, mugging, thefts, etc. The irony is the States and cities then turn to the very Federal government they subverted to seek the remedy - but they aren't asking to remove the source of the problem. They are seeking additional resources and taxpayer money to support those illegally in our house."
The path forward is clear and achievable. As the former ICE official emphasizes, the solution is "straightforward and uncomplicated." It requires "involving State and Local law enforcement in the effort. Change the culture of us vs them when Immigration is involved. Immigration is simply a trespass. The United States owns the property, and we want the person illegally standing on it to leave." By expanding 287(g) participation through strategic federal funding, focusing on criminal cases, and protecting participating agencies, the Trump administration can create a targeted, effective approach to immigration enforcement.
Expanding local partnerships through the 287(g) program isn't just a strategy—it's a necessity. The administration can dramatically increase enforcement effectiveness by working closely with local agencies, implementing smart funding mechanisms, and focusing on criminal offenders. The opportunity exists to transform current limitations into a more robust, collaborative approach to immigration enforcement.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member