Local Law Enforcement Cooperation With ICE Surged More Than 900% in Trump's First Year: Report
Agencies in 39 states are now working with ICE, giving local police officers authority to carry out federal immigration enforcement
Héctor Ríos Morales Héctor Ríos Morales / Published Feb 17 2026, 7:06 PM EST
A new analysis of Immigration and Customs Enforcement data found that local law enforcement agencies have sharply expanded their cooperation with ICE during President Donald Trump's first year back in office.
According to research conducted by the nonpartisan policy group FWD.us, agreements allowing local officers to carry out federal immigration enforcement have surged by 950%. The report found that during the Biden administration, 135 agencies nationwide had officers trained to assist ICE, but by Jan. 26 of this year, that number had surged to 1,168 agencies.
The controversial enforcement model permits local police officers to be deputized by ICE, giving them authority to stop and arrest individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. It was discontinued by the Obama administration in 2012 but reinstated in 2025, with added funding and financial incentives for states, police departments and sheriff's offices to participate.
https://www.latintimes.com/local-law-enforcement-cooperation-ice-surged-more-900-trumps-first-year-report-594715
