Texas sheriff’s departments are poised to strengthen their ties with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the enactment of Senate Bill 8, effective January 1, 2026. This legislation mandates that certain counties in Texas assist with federal immigration enforcement.
Senate Bill 8 requires sheriffs to enroll in ICE’s 287 G Program, which authorizes local law enforcement officers to perform designated immigration functions under federal oversight. Brian Hawthorne, the Sheriff of Chambers County and president of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas, noted that many sheriffs have participated in the program for years. With the passage of this bill, there has been a noticeable surge in applications from sheriff’s departments across the state.
Hawthorne expressed optimism regarding compliance, stating, “Now that it’s passed, I feel like there are a lot of sheriffs that are doing everything they can to be compliant with the law.” The 287 G Program offers three distinct models for sheriff’s departments to engage with ICE:
- The Jail Enforcement Model focuses on identifying and processing removable aliens, particularly those with criminal charges.
- The Task Force Model allows enforcement of limited immigration authority during routine police operations under ICE supervision.
- The Warrant Service Officer program trains local officers to execute administrative warrants on aliens held in their jails.
Despite the enthusiasm from some sheriffs, there is significant opposition to the new law from civil rights organizations nationwide. The ACLU of Texas has condemned the bill, asserting that it will not enhance community safety but rather compel local law enforcement to engage in ICE operations, which they argue contribute to mass deportations and foster racial profiling.
Hawthorne countered the criticism, arguing that the program targets individuals in the country illegally who are also involved in criminal activities. He believes cooperation with ICE is necessary in such cases. Initially, only about 20% of sheriff’s offices in Texas were part of the 287 G Program; however, following the bill’s passage, data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that hundreds of sheriffs have sought to join the program.
Looking ahead, not every sheriff’s office that applies for the 287 G Program will be accepted, as specific enrollment criteria must be met. To support this initiative, a grant program has been established to assist sheriff’s departments in counties with populations under one million. These funds are intended to cover expenses related to compensation, training, and equipment for those participating in the program.
