ICE Agreements & Deportations: Impact on Public Safety
- President Donald Trump is implementing a framework for increased deportations, possibly "the largest deportation operation" in U.S.
- Through 287(g) agreements, local police can question individuals about their immigration status and detain them for ICE.
- Since January, the number of 287(g) agreements has surged from 135 in 25 states to 628 in 40 states as of late May 2025.
Under the Trump administration, the expansion of ICE agreements and increased deportations are reshaping public safety. The 287(g) program, allowing local police to act as federal immigration agents, is at the center of this shift. This approach aims to combat crime, yet critics voice concerns about eroding community trust, notably within immigrant communities, as well as potential racial profiling. News Directory 3 explores how these policies impact relationships between police and diverse populations. While the government cites a possible crime reduction, research questions the effectiveness of these partnerships, citing no discernible impact on crime rates in some locales. What are the long-term implications of these policies for communities nationwide? Discover what’s next …
Trump Immigration Policy Expands Role of Local Police
Updated May 30, 2025
President Donald Trump is implementing a framework for increased deportations, possibly “the largest deportation operation” in U.S. history. A key component is the 287(g) program, established in 1996, which allows U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to train local law enforcement to function as federal immigration officers.
Through 287(g) agreements, local police can question individuals about their immigration status and detain them for ICE. Supporters say this helps combat crime, particularly drug trafficking. “Illegal immigration has wide-ranging consequences, including a troubling surge of dangerous drugs into our state,” said T.K. Waters, sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida, explaining his office’s participation in the 287(g) program in february 2025.
Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images
Since January, the number of 287(g) agreements has surged from 135 in 25 states to 628 in 40 states as of late May 2025. This expansion of the 287(g) program raises concerns about its impact on community policing and trust,especially within immigrant communities.
Critics argue that these policies undermine the relationships between local police and diverse communities, potentially making entire communities less safe. Some big city police departments have shifted away from immigration enforcement to prioritize community policing.
Trump has frequently enough linked immigrants with higher crime rates, but studies suggest undocumented individuals commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens. Research also casts doubt on mass deportation as a crime reduction strategy. A 2018 Cato Institute study found no evidence that ICE-led partnerships with local police decreased crime rates. Similarly,a 2014 study on the secure Communities Program found “no discernible impact” on crime in medium and large municipalities.
What’s next
The continued expansion of the 287(g) program under the Trump administration will likely face ongoing scrutiny regarding its effectiveness, constitutionality and impact on community relations. Court challenges and further research may shape the future of federal-local cooperation in immigration enforcement.