287(g) Program Protection Act

The 287(g) Program Protection Act would rewrite and expand the 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement to perform certain immigration-enforcement functions under federal oversight. Key changes include: mandating written agreements with states or substate agencies that authorize immigration duties to be carried out by local officers at the state’s expense, and creating a presumption of approval for bona fide requests unless there is a compelling reason to deny (with Congress and the Federal Register notified 180 days before any final denial). The bill requires the agreements to accommodate various enforcement models (patrol, task force, jail, or combinations) and prohibits reliance on any separate federal program to substitute for these agreements. It also tightens termination rules with advance notice, a right to appeal or sue, and keeps the agreement in effect during legal proceedings, while adding uniform DHS training standards for participating officers. Beyond programmatic changes, the measure restructures funding to support 287(g) administration, expands annual reporting and adds a formal recruitment plan to track and guide participation by states, and requires rulemaking on the new training requirements within six months of enactment. Overall, the bill aims to broaden and standardize state participation in 287(g) while increasing federal oversight, transparency, and capacity to train and fund these activities. Sponsor note: The bill’s introduction lists several Senate sponsors (e.g., Mr. Risch and others) and was introduced in the 119th Congress.