ICE Shifts to Quieter Enforcement Approach, Relying More on Local Police

The federal government is moving away from high-profile immigration operations toward a less visible approach that partners with state and local law enforcement.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:22am

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The Department of Homeland Security is signaling a shift in immigration enforcement tactics, moving away from the aggressive, high-profile operations seen during the Minnesota surge and toward a quieter approach that relies more on partnerships with state and local police. This includes an expansion of the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to take on some duties of ICE officers. While this approach may be less visible to the public, it has raised concerns about eroding community trust and increasing racial profiling.

Why it matters

The shift in enforcement tactics comes after the politically unpopular Minnesota operation, where federal immigration officers used aggressive tactics that sparked public backlash. The new approach aims to make immigration enforcement less visible, but critics worry it will make it harder for communities to be aware of and respond to immigration actions happening locally.

The details

The 287(g) program, which has existed for decades, has seen a major expansion in recent years, with the number of police and sheriff's departments signing up growing exponentially under the Trump administration. Now, more than 1,600 agreements exist across 39 states, covering about a third of the U.S. population. This allows local law enforcement to take on immigration enforcement duties, including arresting people on ICE's behalf during regular police work like traffic stops. In states like Florida and Texas, state officials have mandated that some or all law enforcement agencies join the 287(g) program.

  • In 2019, there were only 45 287(g) agreements.
  • In 2025, there were more than 1,100 287(g) agreements.
  • As of 2026, there are more than 1,600 287(g) agreements across 39 states.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The new secretary for the Department of Homeland Security.

Ron DeSantis

The governor of Florida, whose administration has ramped up pressure on all Florida law enforcement agencies to sign up for 287(g) agreements.

Grady Judd

The sheriff of Polk County, Florida, who has expressed discomfort with the large number of people arrested by local police under the 287(g) program.

Kristin Etter

The director of policy and legal services at the Texas Immigration Law Council, who says the quieter approach to immigration enforcement in Texas makes it harder for communities to be aware of and respond to immigration actions.

Mariana Blanco

The director of operations for the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Palm Beach County, Florida, who says state troopers are profiling and targeting Hispanic residents.

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What they’re saying

“I would love to see ICE become a transport more than the front line. If we can get back into just simply working with law enforcement, we're going to them, we're picking up these criminals from their jail.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

“They've been the most aggressive in our cities. They're the ones that are targeting, racially profiling our people.”

— Mariana Blanco, Director of Operations, Guatemalan-Maya Center

“There are those here that are working hard. They have their kids in college or in school. They're going to church on Sunday. They're not violating the law. They are living the American dream.”

— Grady Judd, Sheriff, Polk County, Florida

What’s next

It's unclear if the recent pushback from several conservative sheriffs in Florida will change how immigration enforcement is conducted in the state. So far, immigrant advocates say not much has changed.

The takeaway

The shift toward a quieter, more hidden approach to immigration enforcement through partnerships with local police raises concerns about eroding community trust, increased racial profiling, and making it harder for the public to be aware of and respond to immigration actions happening in their neighborhoods.