Multiple law enforcement agencies in Galveston County have joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) program, allowing trained deputies and officers to perform certain immigration enforcement duties under federal authority.
Officials confirmed this week that various law enforcement agencies throughout Galveston County have been granted the authority to carry out specific immigration enforcement responsibilities as part of a federal partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The 287(g) program, derived from a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act, enables state and local officers to carry out immigration status investigations under the oversight of ICE. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, Constable Precincts 1, 2, and 4, along with the League City Police Department, are among the agencies involved.
“We have the capability to conduct that investigation independently in accordance with federal guidelines,” stated Precinct 4 Constable Justin West. “We are able to move forward with an inquiry into immigration status utilizing the 287(g) authority.”
Sheriff Jimmy Fullen announced that 28 deputies have successfully finished the mandatory 40-hour online training, while an additional 30 are currently in the process of their instruction. Furthermore, 14 deputy constables from the three constable precincts have successfully finished their training.
ICE agents held in-person sessions in the county to outline the boundaries of their enforcement actions. “They’re guiding us on the inquiries that are appropriate and those that are not,” West stated.
Recent figures reveal that law enforcement has moved 648 individuals into ICE custody this year, while an additional 653 have been held on ICE detainers within the county jail. Fullen stated that the new authority accelerates the procedure. “Our deputies are capable of performing the same tasks as federal agents,” he stated. "This expedites the process, guaranteeing our presence at the scene or during a traffic stop without authorization."
Galveston County has engaged in the jail enforcement model of 287(g), enabling officers to identify inmates who might be residing in the country without legal status. The Task Force Model broadens the scope of investigative power in the field, while the Warrant Service Officer program enables local agencies to execute administrative warrants on individuals suspected of being in the U.S. unlawfully.
County Judge Mark Henry underscored the initiative's focus on offenders, not workers. “They’re targeting individuals who truly belong in prison,” Henry stated. “They’re not targeting the person toiling away in the kitchen.”
Local officials announced that the expanded partnership is in line with earlier border enforcement initiatives, including deployments under Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. “That was the front end,” stated Precinct 1 Constable Blake Patton. “We believed it was equally crucial to engage on the back end.”
Officials emphasized that involvement will not substitute for regular law enforcement responsibilities. “We’re not entering workplaces, places of worship, or schools,” Fullen stated. “Nonetheless, should we encounter them and ascertain that they are indeed present unlawfully, we will proceed with processing them.”
In League City, there are five officers who have received training under the 287(g) program. The cities of Galveston and La Marque and the Precinct 3 Constable’s Office have opted out of participation. “Being in the country is a civil issue and not criminal,” stated Precinct 3 Constable Derrick Rose.
In September, the Department of Homeland Security revealed that ICE will provide full reimbursement to participating agencies for the salaries and benefits of eligible officers. Across the country, there are currently 958 active 287(g) agreements in place with ICE.
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