Texas Sheriffs Rapidly Signing 287(g) Agreements with ICE

New state law requires all county jails to partner with federal immigration authorities

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:39am

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Under the Trump administration's renewed focus on immigration enforcement, Texas has emerged as a key battleground. A new state law passed in 2025 now requires all county sheriff's offices in Texas to enter into 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing local law enforcement to assist with identifying, detaining, and deporting undocumented immigrants. Since the law took effect on January 1, 2026, the number of 287(g) agreements in Texas has rapidly climbed to 265, the second-highest in the country behind Florida.

Why it matters

These 287(g) agreements blur the line between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, which can undermine trust between immigrant communities and the police. Experts warn that the expanded partnerships could lead to a "cascade of problems" such as a breakdown in community trust, fear, and decreased crime reporting. However, supporters of the new law argue it is necessary to address "mass illegal immigration" and "make our communities safer."

The details

The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement to take on various levels of immigration enforcement, from identifying undocumented immigrants in jails to deputizing officers to make immigration-related arrests during routine duties. The task force model, which requires only 40 hours of online training, is the fastest-growing. Critics say this amount of training is "objectively insufficient" to prepare officers for the complexities of immigration law and enforcement. The new Texas law also provides grants to sheriffs' offices to help cover the costs of participating in 287(g).

  • The new Texas law requiring 287(g) agreements took effect on January 1, 2026.
  • As of January 16, 2026, Texas had 265 active 287(g) agreements, the second-highest in the country.

The players

Sen. Charles Schwertner

The Republican state senator from Georgetown who authored the legislation behind the new Texas law requiring 287(g) agreements.

Kelly Hancock

The interim Texas Comptroller who announced the launch of the "Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant Program" to help cover costs for sheriffs participating in 287(g).

Annie Bright

A visiting professor of law and research fellow at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio who is critical of the insufficient training for officers in the 287(g) task force model.

Charis Kubrin

A professor of criminology, law and society at the University of California, Irvine who expresses concerns about the 287(g) agreements undermining community trust in law enforcement.

Bobbie Vickery

The Calhoun County Sheriff in Texas who expressed concerns about the potential financial strain the new 287(g) law could put on smaller law enforcement agencies.

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What they’re saying

“Mass illegal immigration threatens our public safety and undermines the rule of law, and the 287(g) program is a critical step in ensuring that criminal illegal aliens are swiftly identified, detained, and deported.”

— Sen. Charles Schwertner

“Public safety starts with enforcing the law. This program supports sheriffs as they work with immigration authorities to remove criminal offenders, maintain order and keep Texas communities safe.”

— Kelly Hancock, Texas Comptroller

“Trust dissolves when people think that their local law enforcement officers are extensions of these federal raids, these masked officers who are patrolling the streets and going door to door, increasingly being reported to be disregarding the constitutional protections that we all think we have.”

— Annie Bright, Visiting Professor of Law, St. Mary's University

“These agreements are creating a cascade of problems in communities that we're seeing, whether it's breakdown in trust with law enforcement, fear in our communities, people not reporting crimes because they don't want to get involved, you name it.”

— Charis Kubrin, Professor of Criminology, UC Irvine

What’s next

The Texas Attorney General can sue any county sheriff's office that does not comply with the new law and sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE by the December 2026 deadline.

The takeaway

The rapid expansion of 287(g) agreements in Texas highlights the ongoing tension between immigration enforcement and community trust in law enforcement. While supporters argue the partnerships are necessary for public safety, critics warn they could further erode relationships between police and immigrant communities, potentially undermining broader public safety efforts.