Local Enforcement

Since its inception in the aftermath of September 11, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its immigration enforcement agencies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), have sought to delegate more responsibility and costs for the enforcement of our broken immigration system—historically a federal issue—to state and local governments.

This delegation of responsibility and costs from the federal government to state and local governments has taken shape in three major programs: 287(g), “Criminal Alien Program” and “Secure Communities.” In different ways, these three programs have placed the burden and costs of enforcing federal immigration laws on local governments; eroded trust between local communities and local law enforcement; and indiscriminately targeted and destroyed immigrant communities and families.

Below are resources to help advocates in their efforts to protect our communities and budgets from these harmful programs:

Overview of Local Enforcement Programs (NILC)

Overview of Local Enforcement Programs (Immigrant Justice Network)