Kansas law enforcement steps into immigration enforcement role

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Several law enforcement agencies in Kansas have agreed to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detain someone who entered the country illegally.

Sheriff’s offices, police departments, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation have all voluntarily agreed to participate in the 287(g) program. The program lets them perform ICE operations at a local level.

Three enforcement models available

There are three different models the law enforcement agencies can agree to, which include the Jail Enforcement Model, Task Force Model and the Warrant Service Model.

The Jail Enforcement Model allows jail staff to act as immigration screeners for ICE. The person who is in the country illegally must already be booked on criminal charges and then jail staff check the person’s immigration status. ICE may then start the deportation process if the person is “removable.”

When agencies use the Task Force Model, officers act as immigration enforcers during patrols. The model has faced criticism recently and is less common in Kansas.

The Warrant Service Officer model is most common in Kansas. If an agency has signed on to the 287(g) program under this model, officers issue ICE warrants inside of a jail. Officers serve warrants to hold someone for pick-up by ICE.