Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed Senate Bill 8 into law, requiring most sheriffs in the state to join a federal immigration enforcement partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The newly signed law mandates that Texas counties with populations exceeding 100,000 enroll in the 287(g) program, a federal initiative that empowers local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws in collaboration with ICE. The legislation also provides grant funding to counties with populations under 1 million to help offset the cost of participation.
“To strengthen efforts against illegal border crossings and the associated rise in crime, it is crucial for Texas counties to make full use of available tools to protect their communities,” the bill analysis states. “S.B. 8 aims to enhance Texas’ ability to combat the public safety threat posed by criminal aliens.”
Authored by Senators Joan Huffman and Charles Schwertner, the bill drew strong support from Republican lawmakers who say Texas must take immigration enforcement into its own hands due to the Biden administration’s failures at the border.
According to ICE, the 287(g) program enhances collaboration with local law enforcement “through the delegation of specified immigration officer duties,” enabling the arrest and removal of aliens who pose a threat to public safety and the integrity of immigration law.
The program has three distinct models, as reported by NewsNation:
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Jail Enforcement Model: Officers screen the immigration status of individuals in custody, enter the information into a Homeland Security database, and initiate deportation proceedings.
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Warrant Service Officer Model: Deputies identify inmates as non-citizens during booking and refer them to ICE for evaluation.
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Task Force Model: Officers are authorized to enforce immigration laws during routine patrol and day-to-day law enforcement operations.