A measure from the Trump administration that allows ICE to deputize local police officers has emerged as one of the most effective in cracking down on undocumented immigrants – especially in Texas.
As The Guardian reports, the measure known as 287(g) allows a state or local law enforcement agency to enter into a partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that gives the agencies delegated authority for immigration enforcement within their jurisdictions.
The measure, which has been around since 1996, has recently begun seeing a resurgence, particularly in Texas.
Proponents of the measure say it cements the relationship that already exists between law enforcement agencies and ICE and thereby reduces the risk of dangerous people slipping through the cracks, being released and potentially committing more crimes.
But opponents say there is already a breakdown of trust between undocumented people who are increasingly wary of reporting crimes that they say will become more of a problem if the line between local law enforcement and federal agents is blurred.
