(The Center Square) – Florida is leading the U.S. with the number of agencies that are participating in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) program and implementing immigration enforcement.
The program is named after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1996, 8 USC 1357, Section 287(g)(1), which authorizes ICE to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration functions under its supervision. The Trump administration is encouraging law enforcement to participate in all three models: the Jail Enforcement Model (JEM), Task Force Model (TFM) and Warrant Service Officer (WSO) model, The Center Square reported. Training is free and participants receive federal funding.
The TFM is considered a critical tool because it creates a “force multiplier” to help federal agents “deport removable aliens involved in gang activity, violent crimes, human smuggling, organized crime, sex offenses, drug smuggling, money laundering and many other crimes,” ICE explains.
Florida is the only state to have all of its sheriff’s participating; nearly all are participating in the TFM. Some are participating in all three programs; some in two. Of the nearly 170 police departments working with ICE, all are participating in the TFM. Twelve state agencies and 15 state universities and colleges are also participating in the TFM, according to ICE data as of Feb. 9. Five county commissioner detention facilities and six correctional facilities are participating in the WSO, according to data reviewed by The Center Square. The number of police departments that have joined since The Center Square first reported on the totals last May has grown nearly 10-fold.
“Florida has set the standard across the nation for 287(g) partnerships with 325 agreements in place — a 577% increase since Jan. 20, 2025,” ICE said last September when it announced the first round of financial awards to Florida participants.
Since then, the number has increased to 329 agreements, with another pending.
“Florida state and local law enforcement agencies have demonstrated exceptional commitment as essential partners in ICE’s 287(g) program,” ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said. Florida entities are exemplifying “the critical role collaboration plays in safeguarding our communities and ensuring the removal of the most dangerous individuals who threaten public safety. At a time when ICE officers and law enforcement personnel face unprecedented challenges and threats, these partnerships are more vital than ever to protect our neighborhoods and uphold the rule of law.”
Florida law enforcement 287(g) partners launched a statewide targeted immigration enforcement, “Operation Tidal Wave,” in April. In eight months, they arrested nearly 10,500 illegal foreign nationals.
“Florida is proud to lead the nation on illegal immigration enforcement, acting as a force multiplier to assist President Trump in restoring our nation’s sovereignty,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said. Since Operation Tidal Wave launched, Florida 287(g) partners “arrested more than 10,400 illegal aliens and worked with federal partners to remove them from our state and country.”
Combined, they arrested 3,435 Guatemalans, 3,331 Mexicans, 1,353 Hondurans, 312 Salvadorans, 312 Venezuelans and 1,249 from other countries, according to ICE data.
Operation Tidal Wave is the first program of its kind in the country. “It is the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in ICE’s history, and we’re proud that it will continue here in Florida,” DeSantis said.
Florida is also the first state to launch a program to protect ICE officers from being harassed, threatened, attacked or targeted, The Center Square reported.
Through 287(g), state and local partners are identifying, detaining and processing illegal foreign nationals, including those with final deportation orders, criminal convictions, and who were previously deported. Sheriffs playing a critical role in operation serve the counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Orange, Pinellas, St. Johns, Sumter and Volusia, ICE said.
“Operation Tidal Wave is not only reducing the number of individuals who pose risks to Florida’s communities but is also setting a precedent for how states can take a proactive role in supplementing federal immigration enforcement,” ICE said. “Florida’s model demonstrates that when states act decisively and coordinate with federal partners, public safety is strengthened and law and order are preserved.”
Florida agencies were the first to receive the first round of funding. Local partners received an initial more than $10 million, including $2.7 million for transportation costs and $7.3 million in equipment funding for 974 local officers. State-level partners received an initial more than $28.5 million, including $1 million for transportation costs and $27.5 million in equipment funding for 3,676 state-level officers. Additional rounds of funding are provided based on additional criteria.
