As of early June, there are 629 agreements between local law enforcement and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
California is one of six states with laws preventing local and state agencies from partnering with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws.
➤ More than 600 local police agencies are partnering with ICE
That’s not the case in Florida, which leads the country on the number of state and local agencies that have signed agreements to work with ICE through the 287(g) Program.
What states have signed agreements to assist ICE?
Florida leads the U.S. in the number of state and local agencies that have signed or have pending agreements to assist ICE on the removal of undocumented immigrants. As of early June, there are 629 agreements, with Florida making up 43% of the agreements, followed by Texas with 14%.
➤ ICE-Florida immigrant arrests top 1,100, set record
A total of 292 agencies have agreements in Florida to help ICE.
The second highest state with agreements is Texas, with 100.
In late April, ICE and Florida law enforcement arrested 1,120 people during “Operation Tidal Wave,” the largest joint immigration operation in Florida history.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said 63% of the “criminal illegal aliens” arrested were people with existing criminal arrests or convictions.
What Florida agencies have signed ICE agreements? Search by county
What are the different types of ICE agreements?
There are three types of ICE 287(g) agreements local law enforcement can choose to participate in:
What is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) program?
The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement agencies “to enforce certain aspects of U.S. immigration law,” expanding the departments’ authority to:
State and local agencies can select one or more of the above.
After an agency joins the 287(g) program, ICE trains officers in:
What states prohibit local agencies from partnering with ICE?
Six states have laws preventing local and state agencies from partnering with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws:
Contributing: Sara Chernikoff, Ramon Padilla, USA Today
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida leads US in local law enforcement agencies partnering with ICE. Check your county
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
