DHS To Reimburse Local Law Enforcement Agencies For Cooperation In ICE Deportation Arrests

Sunday, September 7, 2025, 12:45 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new reimbursement program that will cover salaries, benefits, and overtime for local law enforcement officers who participate in immigration enforcement operations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The initiative, set to begin October 1, 2025, is designed to expand federal-local cooperation under the 287(g) program.

     According to DHS, agencies that sign on to the 287(g) Task Force Model will be eligible for full reimbursement of annual salaries and benefits for trained officers, along with up to 25 percent in overtime compensation. In addition, DHS is offering quarterly monetary awards to partner agencies, ranging from $500 to $1,000 per officer, based on their level of participation in locating and detaining undocumented immigrants identified by ICE.

Deputy ICE Director Sheahan, The Program Will “Supercharge” Partnerships

     Deputy ICE Director Madison Sheahan said the program is intended to “supercharge” partnerships with local law enforcement. “This reimbursement ensures our partners have the resources they need to help us remove the worst of the worst from our communities,” Sheahan said in a statement.

     The number of 287(g) agreements nationwide has risen sharply in recent months. DHS reports that partnerships with local agencies have grown from 135 agreements to 958, a 609 percent increase, covering 40 states and involving over 8,500 trained task force officers. More than 2,000 additional officers are currently in training. 

     The reimbursement program comes as immigration enforcement has become a central focus of the administration’s domestic policy. Supporters argue the plan strengthens public safety and eases the financial burden on local agencies. Critics, however, warn that paying local agencies to assist ICE could encourage racial profiling, divert resources from traditional policing, and strain community trust.

     Despite those concerns, DHS officials expect participation to expand significantly once the reimbursements take effect next month.