States incur fresh accords with ICE for broadened immigration law enforcement initiatives
In a recent push to bolster immigration enforcement at the local level, West Virginia, South Dakota, and Arkansas have enacted laws or agreements allowing their state law enforcement agencies to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under models such as the 287(g) program and other cooperative agreements.
West Virginia
Under Governor Patrick Morrisey, state law enforcement—including the National Guard, State Police, and Corrections Division—has received authorization to perform immigration enforcement tasks. This includes processing immigration violations for those arrested on other offenses, making warrantless arrests of illegal immigrants if they are deemed a flight risk, issuing immigration detainers, serving immigration warrants, taking fingerprints, and interviewing suspects. The West Virginia Division of Corrections can hold immigrants on detainers following federal guidelines, and officers undergo 40 hours of training including anti-profiling measures. This cooperation includes following a "warrant officer model" for immigration violations and is part of the state's participation in ICE's 287(g) program.
South Dakota
Governor Larry Rhoden announced cooperation with ICE through "Operation Prairie Thunder," targeting public safety with a focus on the Sioux Falls metro area. South Dakota National Guard troops and local agencies are participating in processing immigration paperwork under an ICE jail enforcement model, allowing local agencies to work with ICE to hold and transfer custody of detainees.
Arkansas
Arkansas has also signed similar agreements, though specific operational details are less documented in the current sources. The state joins Florida and Wyoming as states with substantive 287(g) agreements with ICE. Arkansas State Police officers must undergo a 40-hour online training course before working in an immigration-related capacity. The state's "Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act" allows law enforcement to apply for 287(g) authorization to serve immigration warrants on illegal immigrants already in custody for other offenses.
These measures allow state law enforcement broader authority to enforce federal immigration laws, including making arrests and detaining noncitizens suspected of immigration violations, under ICE oversight and after specific training. The collaborative framework reflects concerns over border security and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl trafficking.
Under the agreement, state officers will have the authority to interrogate suspected illegal immigrants, process immigration-related violations, and make warrantless arrests of illegal immigrants if they are believed to be a flight risk. They will also be able to serve immigration warrants, administer oaths, and collect evidence for "required alien processing." In some cases, they will be able to arrest felonious aliens who have a tendency to escape and issue immigration detainers.
The training covers officers' scope of authority, immigration law, civil rights law, cross-cultural issues, liability issues, complaint procedures, and obligations under federal law. The agreement involves the West Virginia State Police, Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and National Guard to aid immigration enforcement. It is under the "287(g)" authority heralded by President Donald Trump.
Sources:
- ICE Announces New 287(g) Agreements with West Virginia, South Dakota, and Arkansas
- West Virginia Joins ICE's 287(g) Program
- South Dakota National Guard Joins ICE's Operation Prairie Thunder
- Arkansas Enhances Cooperation with ICE
- West Virginia Governor Announces Wide-Ranging Agreement with ICE
This article was written by Charles Creitz, who joined our website in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. He is a Pennsylvania native with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Temple University. Charles currently serves as a reporter for our website, covering media, politics, and culture.
- The collaboration between West Virginia's state law enforcement agencies and ICE under the 287(g) program and other cooperative agreements is part of the state's efforts in addressing general news topics such as politics, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice.
- The South Dakota National Guard's participation in Operation Prairie Thunder, a focus on public safety that targets immigration violations, falls under the umbrella of policy-and-legislation concerning crime-and-justice and immigration issues.
- The Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act in Arkansas allows law enforcement to act on immigration violations, demonstrating the intersection of politics, policy-and-legislation, and crime-and-justice at the local level.
