In a decisive move to protect Tennessee communities, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expanding its 287(g) partnerships with state and local law‑enforcement agencies. The effort, championed by the Trump administration’s three‑model approach, has already led to the arrest of over 1,300 criminal illegal aliens since January 2025.
What is 287(g) and How It Works
The 287(g) program, created by Congress in 1996, allows ICE to delegate specific immigration functions to state and local officers under strict federal supervision. Historically, only the Jail Enforcement Model (JEM) was used. President Trump’s administration advocated for three models: JEM, the Task Force Model (TFM), and the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) model, giving local agencies more tools to combat dangerous foreign nationals.
Rapid Growth in Tennessee
To date, Tennessee law‑enforcement agencies have submitted 136 287(g) applications. The majority target the WSO and JEM models, with roughly one‑third seeking the TFM. As of Sept. 15, 55 applications remain pending, according to the latest ICE data.
Since Jan. 20, 2025, Tennessee’s 287(g) partners have arrested more than 1,300 illegal foreign nationals and encountered over 540 individuals in local custody. Recent high‑profile arrests include a Honduran national with two felony sexual‑battery convictions who was taken into ICE custody and deported, and a Mexican national previously deported who was apprehended for aggravated felonies.
Local Law‑Enforcement Praise
“287(g) is a critical public‑safety initiative that gives law‑enforcement agencies another tool to protect their communities,” said ICE Public Safety Partnership Division Assistant Director Russell Hott. He added that cooperation with sheriffs and chiefs across Tennessee enables the removal of criminal illegal aliens who prey on local residents.
Scott Ladwig, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations‑New Orleans acting Field Office Director, echoed the sentiment: “Partnerships like these are essential to public safety. The continued expansion of 287(g) in Tennessee demonstrates the commitment of ICE and our law‑enforcement partners to remove dangerous criminal aliens from our neighborhoods.”
Legislative Backing
Earlier this year, the Tennessee legislature and governor enacted a law requiring every sheriff’s office to enter into a 287(g) agreement by Jan. 1, 2027. The measure reflects strong bipartisan support for using immigration enforcement as a tool to safeguard families and neighborhoods.
National Context
Nationwide, ICE has signed 2,510 Memorandums of Agreement for 287(g) partnerships in 39 states and two U.S. territories. These include 179 JEM agreements, 553 WSO agreements, and 1,778 TFM agreements. ICE notes that seven of the ten safest cities in the United States are those with active 287(g) collaborations.
What This Means for Tennesseans
For families and faith‑based communities across the Volunteer State, the expansion of 287(g) offers a tangible means of keeping neighborhoods safe from individuals who have committed violent crimes. By empowering local sheriffs and police chiefs to act swiftly on immigration violations tied to criminal activity, the partnership aligns with the Trump administration’s commitment to law‑and‑order and the protection of traditional families.
Community leaders are encouraged to stay informed about the program’s progress and to support law‑enforcement efforts that prioritize public safety while respecting constitutional rights.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
