The Idaho Department of Correction officially entered a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 28, expanding the state’s capacity to enforce federal immigration laws within correctional facilities. As first reported by idahocapitalsun.com, the new memorandum of understanding makes IDOC the second state agency in Idaho to participate in the program, following the Idaho State Police.

The agreement authorizes designated IDOC staff to serve deportation warrants on undocumented individuals currently in state custody. This move aligns the department’s operations with existing federal cooperation frameworks already utilized by other law enforcement entities across the Gem State.

Program Mechanics and Historical Context

The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement officers to assume certain immigration enforcement responsibilities under federal supervision. Under the specific “warrant service” model adopted by IDOC, trained employees will identify inmates subject to outstanding federal deportation orders and facilitate their transfer to ICE custody upon release from state sentences.

IDOC Director Bree Derrick emphasized that this formal arrangement codifies existing practices. “IDOC has a longstanding responsibility to coordinate with our federal partners when individuals in our custody are subject to federal immigration enforcement,” Derrick told the Idaho Capital Sun.

Historically, IDOC personnel have provided ICE with data regarding inmates convicted of felonies. The department also facilitates due process hearings for detainees involved in active deportation proceedings. The new agreement streamlines these interactions by granting specific officers the authority to execute warrants directly.

Expanding Network of Participating Agencies

The Idaho Department of Correction joins a growing network of law enforcement agencies participating in 287(g) across the state. The Idaho State Police entered its own agreement in June 2025, marking the first time a state-level agency joined the program.

As of May, ISP officials reported transporting more than 80 individuals from correctional facilities to federal detention centers under the framework established by their agreement. These transfers highlight the operational impact of cooperative enforcement models in Idaho.

At the local level, twelve law enforcement agencies currently hold 287(g) agreements. Participation began with rural sheriffs’ offices; Gooding County and Power County sheriffs signed initial agreements in 2020. Since then, participation has expanded to include Bingham, Bonneville, Washington, Caribou, Franklin, Clearwater, and Ada county sheriffs.

Owyhee County and Kootenai County sheriff’s offices each maintain two separate 287(g) agreements. In a notable expansion of urban participation, the Post Falls Police Department signed an agreement on June 25, becoming the first and only city police agency in Idaho to join the program.

Enforcement Data and Legislative Push

Data from ICE indicates a steady increase in arrests attributed to the 287(g) program in recent years. There were three arrests linked to the program in 2025. Through August 6 of this year, that number has risen to sixteen, bringing the total for the current reporting period to nineteen.

The signing comes amid legislative efforts to broaden participation statewide. During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers proposed legislation that would have mandated all Idaho law enforcement agencies to enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE.

The proposal faced significant opposition from local sheriffs who argued against compulsory participation. Many county officials contend that their departments lack the resources to perform federal immigration duties alongside their primary public safety responsibilities.

Payette County Sheriff Andy Creech articulated concerns common among smaller jurisdictions. “We’re working with ICE, and we don’t have the manpower to go out and do ICE’s job,” Creech told the Idaho Capital Sun. His comments reflect a broader tension between statewide enforcement goals and local resource constraints.

Executive Support for Rule of Law

Governor Brad Little has consistently supported expanded cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Following the IDOC agreement, the governor framed the decision as a matter of legal obligation and public safety.

“Idaho has a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and protect the people of our state,” Little told the Idaho Capital Sun. The administration views the 287(g) program as a critical tool for ensuring that individuals with serious criminal records who violate immigration laws are processed efficiently through the federal system.

The agreement does not require IDOC staff to initiate immigration investigations or determine citizenship status independently. Instead, it relies on existing ICE databases and warrants to guide enforcement actions. This limited scope aims to balance state resource limitations with federal enforcement priorities.

What Comes Next

IDOC will now focus on training designated staff members to comply with federal requirements for serving warrants. The department has not specified a timeline for full implementation, but operational changes are expected to begin in the coming months.

Stakeholders are watching to see whether additional agencies will voluntarily join the program following IDOC’s participation. With mandatory statewide legislation stalled due to local resistance, voluntary adoption remains the primary pathway for expansion.

The development adds another layer to Idaho’s evolving approach to immigration enforcement. As the state continues to navigate federal-state cooperation dynamics, the 287(g) framework serves as a central mechanism for coordinating border and interior enforcement efforts without diverting significant local resources.