The Trump administration’s aggressive push to empower local police in enforcing immigration laws is triggering alarm bells among civil rights advocates. Former watchdog officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warn that the rapid expansion of the controversial 287(g) programme not only risks civil liberties but could also severely alienate immigrant communities from local law enforcement.
Expansion of 287(g) Program Under Scrutiny
The 287(g) programme, officially named after a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows local, county, and state law enforcement officials to detain, interrogate, and arrest individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants. Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the programme has seen an unprecedented escalation in its reach, with over 1,400 local agencies now participating—a stark rise from fewer than 200 just a year ago.
Former officials, who were previously tasked with overseeing civil rights within the DHS, have expressed grave concerns regarding the lack of independent oversight following their abrupt removal from their positions. “The [Civil Rights and Civil Liberties] office doesn’t exist now—at least not in its previous form. How could there be meaningful oversight of the 287(g) programme?” questioned Peter Mina, a former deputy officer for the CRCL, who resigned after being ousted last spring.
In the first ten months of 2025 alone, ICE data shows that approximately 7,000 arrests were made under the expanded programme, compared to just over 3,000 the previous year. Critics argue that this surge in arrests is indicative of a system ripe for abuse, particularly as local law enforcement agencies shift their focus from serious criminal activity to immigration enforcement.
Concerns Over Civil Rights Violations
Civil rights advocates have long warned that the 287(g) programme has the potential to facilitate racial profiling and other civil rights violations. “Taking a problematic enforcement programme, that reintroduces models of enforcement that were discontinued because of demonstrable civil rights violations, is more than alarming. It is a threat to civil rights nationwide,” said Katerina Herodotou, another former CRCL official.
The lack of oversight and the dissolution of an internal advisory board responsible for evaluating new 287(g) applications have heightened fears of unchecked power. With no independent body to scrutinise these local agreements, former officials worry that local police forces are free to operate without accountability.
Financial Incentives Fueling Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration has introduced financial incentives to further entrench local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement. Under the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill, local agencies can receive substantial funding for equipment and personnel, essentially creating a “bounty hunter” system that rewards the arrest of undocumented immigrants. This system has been met with criticism from former officials who argue that it encourages local law enforcement to prioritise immigration enforcement over genuine public safety concerns.
“Once you have the money, you have to meet the target, so that creates an incentive in itself,” said Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. As local police agencies sign agreements to cooperate with ICE, the line between local policing and federal immigration enforcement continues to blur, raising serious questions about the implications for community trust and safety.
The Fragmented Landscape of Immigration Enforcement
The disparate approach to immigration enforcement across the United States has led to a patchwork of policies—some jurisdictions cooperating fully with ICE while others resist. Sanctuary cities, which refuse to assist in immigration enforcement, stand in stark contrast to those embracing the 287(g) programme. The political landscape surrounding these policies has sharpened in recent years, with local jurisdictions becoming increasingly proactive in their support of federal immigration initiatives.
As the number of local law enforcement agencies signing onto the 287(g) programme continues to grow, the situation remains precarious. The potential for civil rights violations looms large, particularly in states like Florida, which has emerged as a hotspot for 287(g) agreements.
Why it Matters
The implications of the expanded 287(g) programme extend beyond the immediate community and touch the very core of civil rights in America. As local police forces assume roles traditionally held by federal authorities, the risk of civil liberties violations escalates, potentially fracturing the essential trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. In a landscape already marred by division, the unchecked expansion of this programme raises urgent questions about the future of civil rights in the United States.
