U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released a planning document outlining a new program that would help state and local police officers who are trained and deputized to enforce federal immigration laws. The proposal would subsidize liability insurance that covers up to $500,000 in personal liability for officers, with a reimbursement of up to $250 per year – roughly the expected cost of the policy.
How the insurance would work
Under the plan, officers would purchase a policy that pays for legal fees, settlements and judgments arising from civil claims related to their immigration‑enforcement duties. ICE intends to hire a contractor to manage outreach, training and communications for its 287(g) partnerships, and that contractor would also handle hiring the insurance vendor and processing reimbursements.
Why ICE is offering the program
ICE’s partnerships with local departments have grown since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, and the agency hopes the insurance offering will remove a barrier that has made some jurisdictions hesitant to join. According to ICE data, nearly 1,600 agencies in 32 states now have 287(g) agreements, allowing trained local officers to interrogate, arrest and charge individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.
Arrests through these agreements rose sharply in early 2026, averaging about 3,000 per month, compared with roughly 250 per month in 2024 under the previous administration.
Concerns and criticism
Critics argue the program could shield officers from accountability. David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, warned that ICE is “going above and beyond to guarantee law enforcement does not have even the slightest risk of liability for violating Americans’ rights while helping ICE arrest people.” He has called on Congress to make it easier to sue ICE agents for wrongdoing.
Local departments have expressed worries about civil liability for claims of excessive force, wrongful arrest, or illegal search and seizure. Some state risk pools, such as Pennsylvania’s, have explicitly excluded “proactive immigration enforcement activities” from coverage, forcing counties to seek alternative policies. Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe reported securing coverage for 13 deputies at a cost of $20,000 in annual premiums, noting that federal funding would offset the expense.
Support from law‑enforcement leaders
Justin Smith, former Colorado sheriff and executive director of the National Sheriffs’ Association, said the insurance idea sounds promising. He noted that many sheriffs are reluctant to join 287(g) partnerships because of potential liability, especially amid heightened public protests and media scrutiny of immigration enforcement.
ICE’s agreements state that local departments are responsible for costs arising from incidents, but they also assert that officers acting under color of federal authority would be protected from lawsuits. The agreements allow officers facing civil suits to request representation from the U.S. Department of Justice, though the final decision rests with DOJ.
Next steps
ICE has asked industry stakeholders for feedback by Thursday, but the timeline for launching the program and its overall cost remain unclear. ICE declined to comment further at the time of reporting.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
