A 287(g) agreement refers to a federal program that authorizes state and local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in enforcing federal immigration laws. This program allows state and local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents, giving them the power to investigate, apprehend, and detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.
The 287(g) agreement has been controversial since its inception in 1996. Supporters of the program argue that it helps to identify and remove criminal aliens from the country, making our communities safer. However, opponents argue that this program leads to racial profiling and erodes the trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
Under the 287(g) program, state and local law enforcement agencies must enter into a formal agreement with ICE. This agreement outlines the specific responsibilities of both ICE and the local agency, as well as the training and oversight that must be provided to participating officers. There are currently around 150 law enforcement agencies participating in the 287(g) program across 25 states.
Critics of the program have pointed to several high-profile cases of abuse and racial profiling by law enforcement officers who are participating in the 287(g) program. For example, in 2009, a man in Nashville, Tennessee was pulled over for a routine traffic stop and was ultimately deported after being detained by local law enforcement officers through the 287(g) program. He had no prior criminal record and was in the country legally.
Despite these concerns, the 287(g) program remains in place today. The Trump administration has taken steps to expand the program, and many states and municipalities are pushing back against the program. Some jurisdictions have even gone so far as to declare themselves „sanctuary cities,“ meaning that they will not cooperate with ICE in enforcing federal immigration laws.
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