For years, American communities watched as federal immigration enforcement looked more like a shrug than a strategy. Families—whether in rural Texas or suburban Ohio—lived with the consequences of an unsecured border and revolving-door policies that prioritized almost everything except public safety. Local sheriffs knew exactly which criminals were terrorizing their neighborhoods. Washington wasn’t interested in helping.
That’s over now. Under President Trump’s renewed commitment to border security and interior enforcement, local law enforcement agencies finally have a direct path to protecting their communities alongside federal authorities.
From Daily Wire:
“The Program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the United States. ICE recognizes the importance of its relationships with law enforcement partners—including state, local, and tribal agencies—to carry out its critical mission.”
A Historic Surge in Cooperation
Here’s where it gets good. Agreements between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have surged 950% in President Trump’s first year back in office. Under Biden, just 135 such partnerships existed. As of late January, that number had exploded to 1,168. More recent data puts it above 1,400 across 40 states and territories.
Florida leads with 342 participating agencies. Texas follows with 296. Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Alabama round out the top five. This isn’t a border-state phenomenon—it’s a nationwide movement. Over 1,130 agreements were signed in 2025 alone. Proof that communities were starving for this.
The federal government backed its commitment with real resources. ICE now offers $7,500 per trained officer for equipment, up to $100,000 for vehicles, and overtime coverage at 25% of salary. Money talks. Communities listened.
Results That Speak for Themselves
This isn’t bureaucratic theater. In Florida, operations under these partnerships netted 40,000 arrests. A two-week push in West Virginia? More than 650 illegal aliens in custody. According to DHS, nearly 70% of ICE arrests involve individuals charged with or convicted of crimes—murderers, gang members, drug traffickers. People who have no business walking American streets.
Meanwhile, a handful of blue-state governors trip over themselves to shield illegal aliens from consequences. Let them. Over a thousand communities have chosen a different path. They picked partnership over politics. Safety over symbolism.
Communities Taking Back Control
Call it federalism in action. Nobody forced these sheriffs and police chiefs to sign agreements with ICE. They volunteered. They know their communities. They understand the threats. This is ground-level decision-making by local leaders empowered—not hamstrung—by Washington.
The contrast couldn’t be sharper. Americans can now see two models side by side: communities embracing law enforcement cooperation, and those actively obstructing it. The results from Florida, Texas, West Virginia, and dozens of other states show what happens when government at every level pulls in the same direction.
After years of neglect, American communities have a federal partner willing to help enforce the law. More than a thousand jurisdictions said yes. The numbers keep climbing.
Key Takeaways
- ICE partnerships with local law enforcement surged 950% in Trump’s first year back in office
- Over 1,400 agencies across 40 states have voluntarily joined the program
- Florida operations alone have resulted in 40,000 arrests of illegal aliens
- Communities are choosing public safety over sanctuary politics—and it’s working
Sources: Daily Wire, NPR
