Mandatory ICE Partnership in Sweeping State Law Begins Today
Texas’ new immigration law hit the state like a shockwave this morning, erasing any form of sanctuary-style defiance by ordering every county sheriff to officially partner with ICE. Mandatory enforcement under Section 287(g) is designed to integrate deportation cooperation into every prison from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande.
In June, Breitbart Texas reported that the Texas Legislature passed SB8, a new law requiring all Texas sheriffs who operate jails to enter into cooperative agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). The partnership, known as the 287(g) Program, provides training and equipment to cooperating county jails to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of criminal illegal aliens for deportation.
Texas State Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) told Breitbart Texas, “This is a public safety issue. » He called the bill the “most aggressive” immigration enforcement measure ever passed by the Texas Legislature this session.
Before the passage of this law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, ICE reports indicate that only 85 of Texas’ 254 counties had cooperative agreements with ICE. The new law applies to 234 counties in the state.
Currently, reports indicate that approximately 100 law enforcement agencies have some type of 287(g) agreement in place. The remaining sheriffs now have until December 2026 to comply.
State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) said the Texas Legislature “sent a powerful message that our immigration laws will be enforced and criminal illegal aliens causing great harm to our communities will be deported.”
Schwertner added that the bill gives sheriffs a choice of which of three 287(g) models to participate in. It said it provides funding to cover costs not paid or reimbursed by the federal government.
Three of the state’s five largest county jails are not currently participating and have no pending applications for a 287(g) agreement. According to the latest ICE report, the counties are Harris (Houston), Dallas and Travis (Austin). Bexar County (San Antonio) participates in the Warrant Service Office model and Tarrant County (Ft. Worth) participates in the Jail Sentencing Model.
In an exclusive interview, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons explained the importance of safely transferring custody of dangerous criminal aliens while they are still in prison.
“Any ICE agent or officer will tell you that they would much rather have the cooperation of a state or local agency… not only is it safe for my officers and agents, it’s safe for the agency that delivers them, and it’s also safe for the criminal alien,” Lyons told Breitbart.
Without cooperation, ICE must deploy large teams into neighborhoods, increasing risks to agents and civilians. “You’re looking at five to six officers or agents being part of that arrest team,” Lyons said. “And now, with the increase in violence against ICE special agents and deportation officers, we’re looking at taking five or six more just to ensure the safety of those who made this one arrest.”
Director Lyons praised Texas for banning sanctuary policies and mandating statewide 287(g) cooperation, calling it a model for the nation. “Fortunately, we have great partners in Texas… in Harris County, in Dallas County, who are delivering these individuals in a safe and humane manner,” he said. “But too often, across the country, we have to go into communities where no one is safe.”
Although Harris and Dallas Counties do not have 287(g) programs in place at this time, they still cooperate with ICE ERO agents by allowing them to work inside the jail under the former “Secure Communities Program.” These counties will still have to comply with the new law by the end of 2026.
Bob Price is the Breitbart Texas-Border Associate Staff Writer and Senior News Contributor. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What is your point? Sunday morning talk show. He is also president of Blue Wonder Gun Care Products.
