Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced Thursday that his state will work with President Donald Trump’s administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to apprehend criminal illegal aliens.
“Idaho is stepping up to help the Trump administration transport dangerous illegal alien criminals to ICE facilities instead of being released back into our communities,” Little said in a press release. “These are people who pose the greatest danger to Idaho families. Idaho has taken many steps to increase our coordination with the Trump administration in the enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws, and I want to further strengthen our state’s partnership with President Trump to help address the national emergency posed by years of reckless border policies under the Biden-Harris administration.”
The agreement Little spoke of refers to the 287(g) program, which allows local and state police to perform the functions of federal immigration officers.
“I’m really encouraged to see Idaho making its communities safer by signing on with our 287(g) program,” acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said. “You have to remember that we’re talking about criminals — and often, they won’t take an arrest sitting down — so when local jails are allowed to turn them over to ICE in a safe setting, we don’t need to send dozens of federal law enforcement officers into the public to make arrests. Partnerships like this one keep offenders out of communities and protect our families, friends, and neighbors.”
CNN reported in April that 450 law enforcement agencies in 38 states made an agreement with ICE to join the 287(g) program.
Under the law, according to ICE, local law enforcement can utilize:
- “The Jail Enforcement Model. The Jail Enforcement Model allows your officers to identify and process removable aliens currently in your jail or detention facility who have pending or active criminal charges while they’re in your custody.”
- “The Task Force Model. The Task Force Model allows your officers to enforce limited immigration authority while performing routine police duties, such as identifying an alien at a DUI checkpoint and sharing information directly with ICE. An ICE supervisor determines next steps. These officers may also exercise limited immigration authority as active participants on ICE-led task forces.”
- “The Warrant Service Officer Program. Under the Warrant Service Officer Program, ICE trains, certifies and authorizes your officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens currently in your agency’s custody.”
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