Local police officers will now be able to act as immigration agents.

The United States has reactivated an immigration program that had been cancelled more than a decade ago due to allegations of abuse. It is Task Force, a form of the 287(g) program that allows local police officers to act as immigration agents.

This change could affect thousands of immigrants, as it expands the powers of state and local authorities in immigration control. In this article we explain in simple terms what the Task Force program is, how it works and in which states it has been reinstated.

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Task Force is a version of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) 287(g) program. It allows state and local law enforcement to assume immigration functions under the supervision of ICE.

What are the 287(g) models?

Until December 2024, there were two versions of the 287(g) program:

• Jail Enforcement Model (JEM): Local agents can execute ICE warrants inside jails, but not outside of them.

• Warrant Service Officer (WSO): Allows officers to execute ICE warrants, but without questioning immigrants about their immigration status.

With the reactivation of the Task Force, a new modality is added that gives local police more power to detain immigrants on the streets.

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Officers joining this model will receive training in ICE procedures and will be authorized to:

✔ Question anyone about their immigration status if they suspect they are not a U.S. citizen.

✔ Arrest without warrant persons attempting to enter through unauthorized points.

✔Execute immigration detainers and record fingerprints.

✔ Issue immigration detainers for ICE to take custody of detainees.

The states that added new agencies to the Task Force program or are in the process of signing agreements are as follows:

• Florida

• Idaho

• Kansas 

• Nevada

• Oklahoma 

• Texas

Florida and Texas have been the main drivers of this measure. Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the reactivation of the program, stating that it will help curb illegal immigration.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has implemented other strict anti-immigration measures, including walls, buoys on the Rio Grande and massive raids.

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) determined in 2012 that Task Force fostered racial discrimination in several counties across the country, following allegations of abuse and racial profiling. Examples of documented abuses include:

• Arizona: Sheriff Joe Arpaio conducted massive operations based on racial profiling, detaining Hispanics without legal justification.

Carolina del Norte: Research revealed that Alamance County police stopped 10 times more Latino drivers than non-Latino drivers.

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If you live in any of the states where Task Force has been reactivated, it is important that you know your rights. With this program:

• Increased interrogations and arrests of immigrants on public streets.

• Local police officers can act as ICE agents, even without a warrant.

• There could be more raids in Hispanic communities and roadblocks.

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Donald Trump's administration is seeking to expand 287(g) agreements across the country to increase the number of deportations. However, immigrant advocacy organizations have criticized the measure and could face legal challenges.

For now, it is key for the immigrant community to inform themselves and consult with specialized attorneys if they face any problems related to the Task Force program.

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The reactivation of the Task Force program marks a significant change in U.S. immigration policy. If you are an immigrant and live in a state where this program has been reinstated, it is essential that you know your rights and take precautions.

If you know someone who may be affected, send them this article so that they can also be forewarned.

Source: LA NACION

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