Galveston County law enforcement agencies have partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration laws through the 287(g) program. According to CW39, under this program, local officers are deputized to act as immigration agents, allowing them to identify, detain, and transfer individuals suspected of violating immigration laws to federal custody. The program was expanded during the Trump administration.
CW39 reports that Sheriff Jimmy Fullen of Galveston County supports the program, stating, "Galveston County is going to enforce the laws of this state and this nation, and 287(g) gives us the ability to assist our federal partners in enforcing immigration laws." Constable Justin West noted that the program allows deputies to address community safety concerns more efficiently. The program also includes a Task Force Model, which enables local officers to investigate an individual’s immigration status without initially charging them with a crime.
League City police, together with the constable’s offices for Precincts 1, 2, and 4, have implemented the Task Force Model, which complements the Jail Enforcement Model currently used by the county jail, Click2Houston reported. The partnership also includes other programs, such as the Warrant Service Officer program, which focuses on serving administrative warrants to individuals suspected of being in the United States illegally.
Click2Houston reports that the Galveston County Sheriff's Office has indicated that, so far this year, 648 individuals have been transferred to ICE custody, with an additional 653 held on ICE detainers in jail. Sheriff Fullen clarified that deputies are not targeting individuals indiscriminately, stating, "if we do come across them and we determine that they are in fact here illegally, we are going to process them and we are going ship them back." Precinct 3 Constable Derrick Rose noted a distinction, saying that being in the country without authorization is a civil matter rather than a criminal one, and has chosen not to participate in the 287(g) program.
The City of Galveston, La Marque, and the Galveston County Precinct 3 Constable's Office are not participating in the program. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that agencies taking part will be fully reimbursed for the costs of trained 287(g) officers. Texas City police have not yet confirmed their participation, as community responses to the program continue to develop.
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