Jackson County’s New Agreement with ICE
Jackson County’s New Agreement with ICE: A Closer Look at the 287(g) Program
In a groundbreaking move, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has entered into a new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the federal 287(g) program. This initiative marks the first time a Michigan law enforcement agency has partnered in this capacity, igniting debate across the state over public safety, community trust, and immigration enforcement.
Understanding the 287(g) Program
The 287(g) program allows ICE to deputize local law enforcement officers—specifically those working in jails or correctional facilities—to execute administrative warrants related to immigration enforcement. Under this model, trained jail staff can legally detain individuals who are already in custody on active immigration holds, giving ICE a 48-hour window to assume custody if needed. Captain Anthony Stewart of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office explained, “If someone is arrested for a crime and they also have a hold with ICE, we would serve that warrant and then contact ICE, which then has 48 hours to pick them up” wilx.com.
The Scope of the Agreement
Importantly, the new agreement is limited solely to corrections deputies working within the county jail. This means that while jail staff will have the authority to serve immigration warrants on detained individuals, regular patrol deputies will not be involved in enforcing federal immigration law. Captain Stewart clarified, “Our road deputies are not involved in these processes. This agreement is strictly limited to our jail staff, who receive specialized training from ICE to carry out these duties” wilx.com.
Community Impact and Concerns
While the Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the program is a legal extension of their responsibilities —comparable to holding someone for any other jurisdictional warrant—the agreement has stirred controversy. Critics, including Christine Sauvé from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, warn that involving local law enforcement in federal immigration matters may erode community trust. Sauvé commented, “When local law enforcement is seen as an arm of federal immigration enforcement, community members may become hesitant to report crimes or cooperate with police” wkhm.com.
Studies and reports have previously raised concerns about the potential for racial profiling, the financial burden on local jurisdictions, and the overall effectiveness of the program. As these issues simmer, community leaders and immigration advocates are calling for transparent oversight and further discussion regarding the long-term impact on local communities.
The racial implications of this are considerable. Do we really think Jackson county jail deputies are going to search for ICE warrants for anyone other than those with Brown bodies and Hispanic surnames? Is Captain Stewart really trying to argue that his deputies will search for ICE warrants for everyone they arrest or detain? What criteria will they employ as “reasonable suspicion” to check and see if a detainee has an ICE warrant. I’ll give you two guesses….
Looking Ahead
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has made it clear that further training and procedural steps are forthcoming before the agreement is fully operational. The department plans to issue additional details and a formal press release in the coming weeks. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the transition is smooth and that all deputies are adequately prepared for their new responsibilities under the program.
Conclusion
Jackson County’s adoption of the ICE 287(g) program is a significant development in Michigan’s law enforcement landscape. By being the first in the state to enter such an agreement, Jackson County is at the forefront of a national debate about the balance between local law enforcement duties and federal immigration policy. As the program unfolds, all eyes will be on the county to see how it manages community concerns while maintaining public safety.
For those of us who serve the immigrant community, this is yet another example of the ways in which the increased militarization of law enforcement serves to undermine and erode what little trust remains between communities of color and law enforcement that polices them. It further disincentivizes community cooperation with law enforcement, out of fear that federal immigration officers may get involved. The possibility, and perhaps likelihood, that Jackson county will be the first but not be the last sheriff’s office in Michigan to partner with ICE let’s us know we must remain vigilant and continue to do what we can to support our clients and communities of color, and speak out the racism and harassment in all its forms -especially when it comes from law enforcement.