Bill Would Increase 287(g) Agreements Nationwide

April 30, 2026 - WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Senator Lindsey Graham released the following:

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) this week introduced the 287(g) Expansion Act to incentivize states and localities to enter into 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE’s 287(g) program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens.

Graham fought to include additional funding for the 287(g) program as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill and has praised law enforcement agencies across South Carolina who have opted into this program. This legislation fulfills the senator’s pledge to invest more money into the program in order to further increase participation around the state.   

ICE Recruitment graphic

“No more excuses! When it comes to combating illegal immigration, local law enforcement has the legal authority and, if they choose, the means to go after criminal illegals in their communities. Our bill expands that opportunity. The 287(g) program is a longstanding partnership between federal and local law enforcement to combat illegal immigration. After four years of Biden’s open borders, it’s crucial that we expand this program to remove more dangerous illegal aliens,” said Senator Graham. “While sanctuary states and cities obstruct ICE, this legislation rewards law enforcement agencies who work with the federal government to keep our communities safe. By expanding the 287(g) program, we are moving forward – not backward – with rational immigration policies.”

“State and local law enforcement should be doing everything in their power to partner with the federal government to enforce the rule of law in our communities following the Biden Border Crisis,” said Senator Blackburn. “The 287(g) Expansion Act would strengthen immigration enforcement nationwide by offering states that agree to work with ICE more grant funding through the Byrne Memorial JAG Program, which is the primary federal grant funding stream for state and local law enforcement.”

Background on the 287(g) Expansion Act:

• The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize ICE to delegate state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight.
• The program contains four models: jail enforcement, task force, tribal task force, and warrant service officer programs, extending access of federal immigration enforcement resources and training to state and local agencies.
• As of April 2026, South Carolina state and local law enforcement agencies have signed 46 agreements with DHS to participate in the 287(g) program. South Carolina is one of 39 states with at least one participating law enforcement agency, but the prevalence of sanctuary cities and jurisdictions — including 12 states and the District of Columbia — undermine the success of the 287(g) program.
• The 287(g) Expansion Act would permit states or counties to apply for an increase in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funding once they have signed a 287(g) memorandum of understanding or agreement.
• Under this legislation, the U.S. Attorney General would be required to increase the amount of Byrne JAG grant funding by up to 10% of the average total amount of funding provided to that state or locality under the three most recent awards.
  
  Source: Senator Lindsey Graham