Five police departments in North Carolina have signed 287(g) agreements under the “Task Force” model, a framework that authorizes local officers to carry out immigration enforcement functions.
For years, most 287(g) agreements in the state were concentrated in jails and sheriff’s offices.
Their primary function was to facilitate collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when an individual had already been arrested and was in custody. Now, that model has expanded to municipal police departments, increasing the day-to-day presence of immigration enforcement within communities.
The Municipal Agencies Involved
Police departments currently participating in or approved under the “Task Force” model in North Carolina include:
- Robbins Police Department (Moore County)
- Beulaville Police Department (Duplin County)
- Brookford Police Department (Catawba County)
- Kenansville Police Department (Duplin County)
- Newland Police Department (Avery County)
Unlike county-level agencies, these are small municipal police departments responsible for daily public safety.
Demographic Context: Latino Population in These Counties
Available U.S. Census data show the share of Latino residents at the county level, which is the most reliable benchmark for comparing these jurisdictions.
Duplin County (Beulaville and Kenansville)
- Approximately 23% Hispanic or Latino
- It has the highest share of Latino residents among the counties analyzed.
Catawba County (Brookford)
- Approximately 11%–12% Hispanic or Latino
Moore County (Robbins)
- Approximately 7%–8% Hispanic or Latino
Avery County (Newland)
- Approximately 6% Hispanic or Latino
Why Are These Agreements Different?
Most active 287(g) agreements in North Carolina fall under the “Jail Enforcement” or “Warrant Service Officer” models, which operate primarily in detention centers and jails.
Under those frameworks, interaction with ICE occurs after a person has been arrested for another reason.
The key difference with the “Task Force” model is that the police departments listed above have trained officers who can perform immigration enforcement functions in the field while carrying out routine policing duties. They may also participate in joint operations with ICE.
In practice, this means immigration enforcement collaboration is no longer limited to jails and can extend to police activities that take place in public spaces.
A Model Reemerging
The most significant aspect is that the Task Force model is not new nationwide, but it does represent a new development for many local agencies.
The program was suspended more than a decade ago following controversies related to allegations of racial profiling and concerns about civil rights.
In 2025, the Trump administration decided to reinstate the model and promote its expansion nationwide.
Since then, the number of 287(g) agreements has increased rapidly across the country.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that partnerships with state and local agencies grew significantly during 2025, driven in large part by the resurgence of the “Task Force” model.
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