Over 30 Oklahoma Agencies Sign Immigration Enforcement Deals

Local law enforcement agencies partner with ICE to identify undocumented immigrants during routine arrests.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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More than 30 law enforcement agencies across Oklahoma have signed agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with immigration enforcement. The agreements allow local police to check the immigration status of individuals they arrest and share that information with federal authorities.

Why it matters

These partnerships between local police and federal immigration authorities are controversial, with critics arguing they undermine community trust in law enforcement and lead to racial profiling. Proponents say the agreements help remove dangerous criminals from the country.

The details

Under the agreements, known as 287(g) programs, local officers are trained and authorized to perform certain immigration enforcement functions. This includes checking the immigration status of individuals they arrest and notifying ICE if the person is undocumented. The agreements have been signed by agencies ranging from small town police departments to county sheriff's offices across Oklahoma.

  • The 287(g) agreements were signed by the Oklahoma agencies in early 2026.

The players

Sgt. Christian Walsh

A police officer in Barnsdall, Oklahoma who says he was surprised when a routine arrest led to ICE getting involved due to the 287(g) agreement.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that has partnered with over 30 local law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma to allow them to assist with immigration enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“When they fingerprinted him, it hit in the federal system that he was wanted for violations,”

— Sgt. Christian Walsh, Police Officer, Barnsdall, Oklahoma (spotonoklahoma.com)

What’s next

The 287(g) agreements are expected to remain in place, with ongoing monitoring and potential expansion to additional Oklahoma law enforcement agencies.

The takeaway

These partnerships between local police and federal immigration authorities are a controversial approach to immigration enforcement, with concerns about their impact on community trust and potential for racial profiling balanced against the goal of removing dangerous criminals from the country.