287(g) is a federal program that delegates specified immigration-enforcement functions to trained state and local officers under ICE supervision. It is not the name of a visa, a new immigration status, or a rule that makes every police department an ICE agency.
Last verified: October 18, 2026.
What does 287(g) stand for?
The name comes from section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Participating agencies enter a written memorandum of agreement with ICE. Read the ICE program description and the signed local document together: a short announcement rarely explains every condition.
The practical question is not simply whether a state “has 287(g).” Ask which agency signed, what authority was delegated, where it applies, and which model the agreement uses.
Task-force, jail, and warrant-service agreements
| Agreement | Main distinction |
|---|---|
| Task Force Model | Specified immigration functions during routine policing or ICE-led operations, under oversight |
| Jail Enforcement Model | Immigration identification and processing connected with people in local custody |
| Warrant Service Officer | Trained local officers serving ICE administrative warrants on people already in custody |
ICE’s program fact sheet explains these functions. An administrative immigration warrant and a judicial warrant are different documents; ask an attorney about their significance in a specific encounter.
Why a nearby department may have different policies
A city police department, regional police force, county sheriff, and state agency are separate entities. One agency’s participation does not prove every other agency participates. A sheriff’s jail agreement also should not be described as task-force authority for all officers across the county.
For Pennsylvania, check the exact agency and its current agreement. Save the source date and underlying document rather than relying on an undated screenshot shared on social media.
Does an agreement show how many people were arrested?
No. Agreement records establish a formal relationship; arrest data answer a separate question. The Deportation Data Project’s codebook explains the agreement models and geographic scope represented in its records.
When reading a headline, check whether the number refers to encounters, arrests, detention bookings, transfers, or removals. Ask what period and geography are being counted. Do not compare a cumulative county total with a single month’s statewide number.
What should a newcomer do with this information?
Use it to understand local institutions and identify reliable help. It cannot determine your personal immigration situation. Someone with a pending application, a temporary visa, lawful permanent residence, or no current status may face different legal questions.
A practical preparation plan is to identify a qualified legal representative, organize private documents, and make a household bill plan. Our emergency financial checklist covers financial continuity; it does not replace immigration advice.
Questions to ask when a new agreement is announced
- Was the document only proposed, approved by a board, or executed by both parties?
- Which model is named in the agreement?
- What agency and geographic area does it cover?
- Is there a later amendment, termination, or replacement?
- Is the source describing policy, recorded outcomes, or an opinion?
Does a place without 287(g) have no ICE enforcement?
No. A particular local delegation agreement is only one part of immigration enforcement.
Does 287(g) change my visa automatically?
The agreement itself is an agency arrangement, not a decision on your individual visa or application. Discuss case-specific concerns with an authorized legal professional.
Educational information, not individualized legal advice. Source review does not constitute attorney review.