Three law enforcement agencies in Tennessee that maintain 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with arrests and deportations of illegal aliens are eligible to receive reimbursement funds through a new program the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday.
DHS announced that starting October 1, 2025, participating law enforcement agencies in the 287(g) Program Task Force Model will be eligible for full reimbursement from ICE for the annual salary and benefits of each trained Task Force Officer (TFO), including up to 25 percent in overtime pay.
The 287(g) program’s Task Force Model, which enables state and local officers to enforce immigration laws while performing routine duties, currently includes participation from 40 states, with 8,501 trained TFOs and over 2,000 more in training, according to DHS.
In addition to reimbursements, agencies that participate in the Task Force Model may receive quarterly performance-based monetary awards for successfully locating illegal aliens and supporting ICE’s mission, which range from $500 to $1,000 per officer, based on performance levels between 70 percent and 100 percent.
Three agencies in the Volunteer State – the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Sparta Police Department, and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security – will be eligible to receive reimbursement funds through the new DHS program, as all maintain a 287(g) Program Task Force Model agreement with ICE.
As of Wednesday, Bradley County Constable District 7 maintains a pending 287(g) Program Task Force Model agreement with ICE.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said the One Big Beautiful Bill Act created the new reimbursement program and will fuel efforts to “remove the worst of the worst including murderers, gang members, rapists, terrorists, and pedophiles from our country.”
“We encourage all state and local law enforcement agencies to sign a 287(g) agreement now. By joining forces with ICE, you’re not just gaining access to these unprecedented reimbursement opportunities—you’re becoming part of a national effort to ensure the safety of every American family,” Sheahan added.
In Tennessee, 27 law enforcement agencies have 287(g) agreements with ICE. Of these, nine participate in the Jail Enforcement Model, while 16 operate under the Warrant Service Officer program.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is the only agency in Tennessee that maintains two 287(g) agreements with ICE, operating under both the Jail Enforcement Model and Task Force Model.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
