Law Enforcement Collaborations with ICE Surge Over 900%: New Study Reveals Alarming Expansion

HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — A recent report highlights a dramatic surge in law enforcement agencies partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during President Trump’s second term, with participation soaring by over 900%.

Fwd.us, a 501(c)4 social welfare organization, revealed on Monday that the number of local agencies involved in 287(g) immigration programs escalated by 916%, rising from 135 in January 2025 to 1,372 by January 2026.

This significant boost in participation is largely attributed to an increase in federal funding, as noted in the policy brief.

Historically, 287(g) agreements have enabled local law enforcement to notify ICE about immigrants in their custody and facilitate their transfer into ICE’s care. The current expansion includes federal funding for officer training and advancements in IT infrastructure, according to the report.

In September, ICE announced it would pay full salary and benefits for trained and certified officers, one-time start-up costs to the agency, overtime, and bonuses based on performance, including how many immigration arrests officers make, the report says.

“Federal incentives to target and profile will harm immigrant communities and have spillover effects on other communities already targeted by local law enforcement impacting immigrants and citizens alike,” Fwd.us President Todd Schulte said.

Fwd.us says that $137 million has already been spent on 287(g) programs during the first year of Trump’s second term.

It projects an additional $1.4 to $2 billion more will be spent in 2026 on participating agencies.

“This would be by far the largest infusion of federal funding into local law enforcement since the 1990s COPS grants, which increased low-level arrests while having no significant impact on crime,” Fwd.us Vice President of Criminal Justice Research Felicity Rose said.

ICE says the 287(g) program helps fulfill a “critical mission” of the agency.

The program “enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies,” ICE says on its website.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

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