BEL AIR, Md. — As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, his administration is finalizing plans for mass deportations. Local law enforcement agencies are gearing up to expand a contentious program that allows them to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The **287(g) program** enables state and local officers to enforce federal immigration laws. This initiative is expected to be a key component of the new administration’s efforts to implement what it claims will be the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. However, it may also lead to legal challenges as Inauguration Day approaches.
Tom Homan, who will be Trump’s “border czar,” visited Texas on Tuesday to discuss the administration’s deportation plans. “We’re not waiting until January,” Homan stated. “We’re going to put a plan in place and secure this nation.” Homan, who served as acting director of ICE during Trump’s first term, has vowed to “take the handcuffs off ICE.”
The 287(g) program was established in 1996 under President Bill Clinton. It allows ICE to delegate certain immigration enforcement duties to state and local law enforcement officers. After someone is arrested for a crime, trained corrections officers can check their immigration status using an ICE database and may detain them for up to 48 hours if ICE decides to pursue deportation.
Supporters argue that the program does not permit local officers to indiscriminately arrest undocumented immigrants but rather focuses on individuals already in custody for other offenses. As of May 2024, law enforcement agencies in 21 states participate in this program.
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler supports the 287(g) program, asserting that local police should assist ICE in enforcing immigration laws. He dismissed concerns that it would lead to unfair targeting of undocumented immigrants. “This isn’t stopping people on the street — saying ‘show me your papers,’” Gahler explained. “If they’re brought in — they’re arrested for something they have committed against the citizens of our community.”
Gahler has been involved in high-profile immigration cases, including the murder of Rachel Morin, a mother of five who went missing in August 2023. Her body was found shortly after her disappearance, and Victor Martinez Hernandez, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested after a nationwide manhunt. He faces charges of first-degree murder and rape.
Patty Morin, Rachel’s mother, expressed her initial anger upon learning that the suspect was undocumented but later reflected on systemic issues that allowed this situation to occur.
In Rockingham County, North Carolina, Sheriff Samuel Page also supports the 287(g) program. His county joined in 2020 and trained several corrections officers for immigration enforcement duties. Page noted a decrease in requests for ICE detainers during President Joe Biden’s administration, criticizing Biden for ending programs he believes protect Americans.
The 287(g) program has faced significant criticism over the years. Many Democrats have sought to cancel agreements across various regions, while organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argue that it promotes racial profiling and instills fear within immigrant communities. The Maryland ACLU stated that local police are ill-equipped to act as immigration agents.
“This hurts those families,” said Todd Shulte, president of FWD.us, an immigrant advocacy group. He added that such programs can undermine public safety and erode trust between communities and law enforcement.
Even within ICE, there is debate about the effectiveness of the program. Jason Houser, a former ICE chief of staff, suggested that while it may be beneficial in larger cities where trained officers can assist with immigration enforcement inside jails, it might not be as efficient in rural areas.
Critics argue that the 287(g) program primarily serves as a political tool for conservative sheriffs. Trump’s campaign promised local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; however, many Democrats are vowing to resist these efforts. Recently, the Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting city resources from being used for immigration enforcement.
Tensions are rising as officials clash over immigration policies. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston stated he would be willing to face jail time to oppose actions he views as illegal or unjust.
Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, indicated that local and state officials are eager for Trump’s return to office. She stated that on his first day in office, Trump would utilize every available resource to secure borders and initiate a massive deportation operation targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
In Harford County, corrections officers are preparing for changes with the incoming administration regarding the 287(g) program. Sgt. Christopher Crespo noted that they expect increased activity under this initiative: “The last thing you need is someone on the street committing a murder only to find out they were here illegally.”
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