Four local law enforcement agencies in North Carolina recently signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to implement the most aggressive model of the 287(g) program, known as the “Task Force.”
According to ICE documents, the agreements, finalized between September and October 2025, are:
- Columbus County Sheriff's Office
- The Beulaville Police Department in Duplin County
- The Brookford Police Department in Catawba County
- The Newland Police Department in Avery County
As of October 24, the Onslow County Sheriff's Office has a pending application to participate in the same program model, according to ICE documents.
The so-called “Task Force Model” of the 287(g) program takes immigration enforcement out of the jails and onto the streets. That is, everyday encounters with police in Beulaville, Brookford, and Newland, or with Sheriff's Office deputies in Columbus—for traffic, investigations, or checkpoints—can have immediate immigration consequences.
Enlace Latino NC contacted the agencies but did not receive a response as of press time.
287 (g): Differences between “Task Force” and other models
The 287(g) program, created by a federal law of 1996, allows ICE to enter into Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with state or local agencies for trained officers to perform limited immigration functions.
North Carolina has 26 local agencies with 287(g) agreements, According to ICE documents, until October 24. However, only the four mentioned apply the “Task Force” model.
The other two 287(g) models are “Jail Enforcement” or “Warrant Service Officer,” which limit immigration status reviews to people already detained or with an arrest warrant for another reason.
In contrast, in the case of the “Task Force” model, trained officers can interact with the community and make arrests during the routine tasksOfficers may participate in operations outside the prison, such as patrols, checkpoints, or investigations on public roads.
This means that the scope of immigration enforcement is much broader and can affect anyone with whom officers come into contact on a daily basis, even if they have not committed any local crimes.
The Task Force model was discontinued more than a decade ago due to civil rights concerns. In 2025, President Donald Trump's administration reinstated the model.
Economic incentives drive expansion
Beginning October 1, 2025, local agencies participating in the Task Force 287(g) model will be eligible to receive full reimbursement from ICE for the salary and benefits of each officer trained, according to a DHS statement.
In addition, agencies will be eligible for quarterly performance-based bonuses. locate undocumented immigrants: $1,000 per officer if they achieve 90%-100% success, $750 for 80%-89%, and $500 for 70%-79%.
These incentives aim to boost the program's expansion and encourage active participation by local law enforcement in immigration enforcement.
Related: Elon Poll: Opinions divided on ICE and the National Guard in North Carolina
Where are these police departments and the county located?
The four recently signed 287(g) Task Force model agreements are located in different regions of the state, from the coast to the mountains.
- Beulaville Police Department (Duplin County)
Beulaville is a small town located in southeastern North Carolina, in Duplin County. It is a largely rural and agricultural area, known for its food production and Latino communities. - Brookford Police Department (Catawba County)
Brookford is located in the western part of the state, in Catawba County, near the city of Hickory. It's a community of just a few square miles and with a small population, located in a more industrial and urban region. - Newland Police Department (Avery County)
Newland is the county seat of Avery County, in the mountainous northwest of North Carolina, near the Tennessee border. It is a small town surrounded by rural and tourist areas in the Appalachian Mountains. - Columbus County Sheriff's Office
Columbus County is located in the southeastern corner of North Carolina, on the border with South Carolina. Only Sheriff's Office officers are allowed to conduct immigration enforcement in jails and in the community. Municipal departments require a separate agreement with ICE to have immigration authority.
Among its main cities and towns are:
- Whiteville (the county seat)
- Tabor City
- Chadbourn
- Fair Bluff
- Lake Waccamaw
- Bolton
- Cerro Gordo
- Evergreen
- Boardman
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