287(g) Program Protection Act

This bill strengthens the 287(g) program, which lets state and local police partner with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out certain immigration enforcement tasks under written agreements. DHS must generally approve requests from qualified agencies and may deny or end an agreement only for a compelling reason. If DHS moves to end an agreement, it must give at least 180 days’ notice, explain why, and allow the state or locality to appeal; the agreement stays in place during any appeal. States and localities can choose the enforcement model that fits them (patrol, task force, jail, or a mix). DHS cannot replace these agreements with broad technology programs; those would run in addition to any agreement. The bill also clarifies that, unlike before, DHS is required to allow qualified agencies to participate, not just allowed to do so.

DHS must set uniform training standards for officers in the program, aligned with Federal Law Enforcement Training Center standards, and update funding rules so program administration costs are covered. DHS must publish yearly performance reports with metrics (like how many people were screened, removed, or not removed and why, oversight methods, training compliance, and complaints), plus a yearly plan to recruit more states and localities. DHS also must start a rulemaking on training within 180 days of enactment.

Key points

• Who is affected: State and local law enforcement agencies that join the program; DHS; communities in participating areas.
• What changes: DHS must approve qualified requests, limit when it can end agreements, honor local choice of enforcement model, set uniform training, fund program administration, and issue annual performance reports and recruitment plans.
• When: Annual reports and recruitment plans start the first fiscal year after it becomes law; training rulemaking must begin within 180 days of enactment.