By Gloria Ogbonna
Texas’s newly enacted immigration-enforcement law sent shockwaves across the state this week, effectively dismantling any remaining sanctuary-style resistance by requiring every county sheriff to formally partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The sweeping measure mandates participation in the federal 287(g) program, embedding deportation cooperation into county jails statewide—from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande.
In June, Breitbart Texas reported that the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 8 (SB8), legislation requiring all Texas sheriffs who operate jails to enter into formal cooperation agreements with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Known as the 287(g) program, the partnership allows trained local law enforcement officers to work with ICE to identify, process, and transfer criminal illegal aliens in custody for deportation. The program also provides participating agencies with federal training, guidance, and certain equipment to ensure transfers are conducted safely and efficiently.
Texas State Representative David Spiller (R-Jacksboro), a strong supporter of the legislation, framed the law as a critical public-safety initiative rather than a political statement.
“This is about public safety,” Spiller told Breitbart Texas, describing SB8 as the “most aggressive” immigration-enforcement measure to emerge from the Texas Legislature during the most recent session.
Before the bill’s passage and its signing into law by Governor Greg Abbott, ICE data showed that only 85 of Texas’s 254 counties had existing cooperation agreements with ICE. The new statute applies to 234 counties—essentially all counties that operate jails—and dramatically expands the scope of mandatory collaboration.
As of now, approximately 100 law enforcement agencies in Texas have some form of 287(g) agreement in place. Under the new law, the remaining sheriffs have until December 2026 to comply and formally enter into one of the approved partnership models.
State Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) said the Legislature intended the law to send an unmistakable message. “Our immigration laws will be enforced, and criminal illegal aliens causing great harm to our communities will be removed,” Schwertner said.
He emphasized that the bill offers sheriffs flexibility, allowing them to choose among three different 287(g) participation models based on local needs and resources.
Importantly, the legislation also provides state funding to cover costs not reimbursed by the federal government, addressing a common concern raised by local officials.
Despite the broad mandate, some of Texas’s largest county jail systems are not currently participating in the 287(g) program.
According to the latest ICE report, Harris County (Houston), Dallas County, and Travis County (Austin) do not have agreements in place and have no pending applications.
By contrast, Bexar County (San Antonio) participates under the Warrant Service Officer model, while Tarrant County (Fort Worth) operates under the Jail Enforcement model.
In an exclusive interview with Breitbart, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons underscored why cooperation at the jail level is essential for both officer and public safety. Lyons explained that transferring custody of dangerous criminal aliens while they are already incarcerated minimizes risks for everyone involved.
“Any ICE agent or officer will tell you they’d much rather have the cooperation of a state or local agency,” Lyons said. “Not only is it safe for my officers and agents, it’s safe for the agency that’s turning them over, and it’s also safe for the criminal alien.”
Without such cooperation, Lyons noted, ICE must conduct arrests in neighborhoods, which requires significantly larger teams and increases the potential for violence.
“You’re looking at five to six officers or agents being on that arrest team,” he said. “And now, with the uptick of violence against ICE special agents and deportation officers, we’re looking to take another five to six just to do security on the ones making that one arrest.”
Lyons praised Texas for banning sanctuary policies and mandating statewide 287(g) participation, calling the approach a potential model for other states. “Luckily, we have such great partners in Texas,” he said. “Harris County, Dallas County, who do turn these individuals over in a safe, humane way. But all too often across the country, we have to go into these communities where it’s not safe for anyone.”
Although Harris and Dallas counties do not currently operate formal 287(g) programs, they still cooperate with ICE ERO officers under the older “Secure Communities” framework, which allows ICE access to jails for identification and transfer purposes. Under SB8, however, these counties will be required to fully comply with the new 287(g) mandate by the end of 2026.
With the law now in force, Texas has positioned itself at the forefront of state-level immigration enforcement, fundamentally reshaping how local jails interact with federal authorities and signaling a decisive end to sanctuary-style policies statewide.
Source: Breitbart
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