Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act
ICE’s 287(g) Program
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight.
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 to identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the United States.
ICE recognizes the importance of its relationships with law enforcement partners—including state and local agencies—to carry out its critical mission.
Through the delegation of specified immigration officer duties, the program allows ICE to enhance collaboration with state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of aliens who undermine the safety of our nation’s communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.
What’s in It for Your Law Enforcement Agency?
The 287(g) Program benefits state and local law enforcement agencies in several ways — but most notably, it helps you keep your community safe from potentially dangerous criminal aliens. Your law enforcement officers will get access to ICE resources and training. ICE covers the cost of training (see the later section, “287(g) Training Available to State and Local Law Enforcement,” for more information).
- Your agency or office may be eligible for the Department of Justice’s State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. This Department of Justice program administers SCAAP awards and provides federal funding to states and political subdivisions of states, including municipalities that incur costs for incarcerating certain criminal aliens. This is entirely separate from the 287(g) program.
ICE 287(g) Program Map
287(g) Program Models
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations operates three 287(g) models:
- The Jail Enforcement Model allows designated immigration officers to identify and process removable aliens who have pending or active criminal charges.
- The Task Force Model enhances public safety and national security by allowing designated immigration officers to enforce limited immigration authority while performing routine police duties or as an active participant in an ICE-led task force.
- The Warrant Service Officer Model allows designated immigration officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in their custody.
How Can Your Agency Participate in the ICE 287(g) Program?
On January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. This EO requires ICE to authorize State and local law enforcement officials, as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines are qualified and appropriate, under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to the maximum extent permitted by law. Several states, including but not limited to Georgia and Florida, have passed, or are considering, State legislation mandating law enforcement agencies (LEAs) seek out or enter into memorandums of agreement (MOA) with ICE pursuant to a partnership under the 287(g) Program.
Participation in the 287(g) Program is limited to LEAs only. LEAs interested in participating in the 287(g) Program must sign an MOA with ICE. LEAs will nominate officers to participate in the 287(g) Program. Nominees must possess U.S. citizenship, complete and pass a background investigation, and have knowledge of and have enforced laws and regulations related to law enforcement activities at their jurisdictions. Task Force Model nominees must also have at least two (2) years of total law enforcement officer experience. Nominees will receive training at the expense of ICE related to the immigration duties pertinent to the applicable MOA.
LEAs interested in becoming a law enforcement partner under the 287(g) Program must submit a signed MOA to ICE at ERO287g@ice.dhs.gov. These forms can be found below.
How Can I Convince My Chief or Sheriff to Participate in 287(g)?
ICE has several resources, including this page, that can help you show your chief, sheriff or team all the benefits the 287(g) Program provides. From here, you can also download and print ICE’s:
If you have any questions about participating in the ICE 287(g) program, how to complete the necessary forms, what is required, or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to email ERO287g@ice.dhs.gov; your inquiry will be promptly answered within one business day.
287(g) Participating Agencies
As of August 14, 2026 3:37 pm ICE has signed 2,315 Memorandums of Agreement for 287(g) programs covering 39 states and 2 U.S. Territories. These include JEM agreements with 183 law enforcement agencies in 30 states and 1 U.S. Territory, 287(g) WSO agreements with 541 law enforcement agencies in 34 states, and 287(g) TFM agreements with 1,591 agencies in 32 states and 2 U.S. Territories.
