North Carolina agencies expand ICE cooperation under 287(g) program

The Pikeville Police Department in Wayne County has signed an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to participate in the 287(g) Task Force model. This agreement allows trained local officers to perform specific immigration enforcement functions during their routine duties, rather than being limited to checking statuses within detention centers.

Pikeville joins five other North Carolina agencies already utilizing this model. This development occurs as state agencies face a looming deadline under Senate Bill 153, also known as the North Carolina Border Protection Act. By October 1, several state entities—including the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Adult Correction, the State Highway Patrol, and the State Bureau of Investigation—must establish 287(g) agreements and implement policies to determine the immigration status of individuals in custody or under supervision.