A new interactive map released by USA Today reveals which U.S. counties and municipalities are formally connected to ICE under the 287(g) program—allowing local police to assist directly in immigration enforcement. Here’s what you need to know:
What the Map Shows
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Each region is color-coded to show the level of cooperation: from full deputation (where local officers can question, detain, and arrest suspected undocumented immigrants) to minimal information sharing without detention powers.
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Since Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025, there’s been a noticeable uptick in these partnerships, reflecting his administration’s executive orders expanding local-federal collaboration.
The 287(g) Program Explained
The program operates via three models:
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Task Force Model: Deputizes local officers to enforce immigration laws on the street.
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Jail Enforcement Model: Permits officers to question and hold inmates suspected of deportable offenses.
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Warrant Service Officer Model: Designates officers to execute ICE warrants in jails only—without front-line questioning.
Usage of all three has surged in 2025, fueling new and expanded memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
Regional Hot Spots
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High-participation zones span across Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia—where many counties now actively work with ICE.
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Conversely, a growing number of regions have embraced sanctuary policies—refusing local collaboration—to preserve community trust and public safety.
On-the-Ground Impact
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Price of partnership: Involved areas face fears that local police are viewed as part of the immigration apparatus, eroding trust and discouraging immigrant cooperation—even when public safety is at stake.
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Civil rights concerns: Critics warn this shift effectively turns municipal officers into ICE agents—fraying community relations and undermining decades of community-based policing norms.
Sanctuary vs. Cooperation
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Pushback from sanctuary jurisdictions: Some cities and counties refuse cooperation to keep local policing distinct and maintain immigrant trust.
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Legal and political tug-of-war: As ICE forges ahead, sanctuary jurisdictions are mounting legal resistance and political opposition—intensifying the clash over local versus federal authority.
Why It Matters
This map isn’t just data—it symbolizes a seismic shift in law enforcement across America. Where local ICE partnerships take hold, immigrant communities feel the ripple effects: fewer calls to 911, growing fear, and shrinking civic engagement. In sanctuary zones, however, local leaders are double‑down on preserving public trust.