Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in suburban Indianapolis has expressed interest in partnering with federal immigration authorities to identify and detain immigrants in the U.S. illegally and facing charges. Despite previous attempts under President Joe Biden's administration, the calls were left unanswered. However, with President Donald Trump's focus on illegal immigration, Hamilton County deputies may soon become the first in Indiana authorized to carry out federal immigration duties, aligning with the administration's goals of collaboration with ICE for community safety.
Under Trump, U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement is expanding the 287(g) program, which trains local law officers to question and detain immigrants in custody for potential deportation. The program currently applies to individuals already jailed or imprisoned on charges, but there are plans to extend it to include local task forces for street arrests, a model previously discontinued by former President Barack Obama due to concerns about racial profiling.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced an agreement between the Florida Highway Patrol and ICE to interrogate, arrest, and detain immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally, emphasizing the administration's deportation objectives.
Advocates for immigrants have raised concerns about potential racial profiling and negative community impacts resulting from these new agreements that involve local law officers in immigration enforcement.
In the early 2000s, the 287(g) program faced challenges in some areas, such as Maricopa County, Arizona, where racial profiling and unlawful arrests were reported. ICE currently offers two types of agreements to law enforcement agencies, with varying levels of training and authority to enforce immigration laws.
As of December, ICE had agreements with sheriff's offices, police departments, and prison systems in 21 states, with requests from 35 others. Trump's administration aims to maximize these agreements for local law officers to investigate, apprehend, and detain immigrants, with efforts to streamline training and regulations for increased collaboration.
While some states are pushing for mandatory ICE training and participation, others have expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts on communities and law enforcement officers. Despite differing opinions, Hamilton County deputies plan to focus on individuals already in jail, aiming to reduce crimes and enhance community safety through the program.
