A Northern Kentucky Republican is advancing a proposal that would require every police agency in Kentucky to enter federal immigration enforcement agreements — known as 287(g) agreements — under a program that has expanded rapidly during the Trump administration.
Rep. TJ Roberts, of Burlington, outlined the proposal during a Thursday meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government. He argued that entering these agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would give police departments access to new federal resources and funding.
However, Democrats on the committee raised concerns about mandating local agencies to partner with ICE.
“I think this really gets down to being a local control issue for me,” said Rep. Rachel Roarx, D-Louisville. “Our law enforcement agencies, I think they know their jurisdictions best. They know where their resources need to be allocated.”
Roberts later said his proposal would promote community policing while keeping administration at the local level. Kentucky’s Republican-controlled General Assembly could take up the measure during the 2026 legislative session, which begins in January.
Roberts described the agreements as an “incredible opportunity” to provide additional resources to law enforcement, improve public safety, and align state agencies with federal priorities. He said that under these agreements, local police would be “deputized for limited immigration enforcement,” such as during traffic stops when officers have “reasonable suspicion” to investigate a person’s citizenship or immigration status.
Roberts noted that while some Kentucky agencies have already entered 287(g) agreements, he believes the areas most in need — including his home region of Northern Kentucky, which has major highways — are not covered.
According to ICE’s website, 22 law enforcement agencies in Kentucky currently have active 287(g) agreements, mostly county sheriffs’ departments, along with some jails and one local police department. All agreements were signed this year.
Roarx questioned what Roberts meant by “the areas that need it most.” Roberts said Northern Kentucky should have the program and added that it is needed statewide.
“Once they complete that 40 hours of training, which is all online and paid for by the federal government, these officers are deputized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” Roberts said. “And they can only engage in this limited enforcement under federal supervision to ensure oversight and accountability.”
If approved, the bill would require the Kentucky State Police and all local law enforcement agencies to sign written agreements with ICE under Section 287(g) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The 287(g) Program allows ICE to delegate certain immigration enforcement powers to state and local officers.
ICE expanded these agreements by 641% earlier this year after President Donald Trump took office. Immigrants and advocates have long argued that the program can lead to racial profiling and lacks sufficient oversight.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced that agencies participating in the 287(g) Program would be eligible for significant reimbursements beginning in October. ICE may reimburse agencies for “the annual salary and benefits of each eligible trained 287(g) officer,” including up to 25% overtime.
Roberts said the reimbursements could bring substantial funding to Kentucky law enforcement. He added that he has been working with legislative liaisons from DHS and ICE and that the legislation is “one of their top priorities.”
Committee co-chair Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, described the proposal as “an opportunity to potentially utilize resources from the federal government” in local communities.
Democrats, however, expressed strong opposition. Rep. Sarah Stalker, D-Louisville, said she was troubled by the idea of deputizing officers for a new enforcement role, especially given national reports of what many call excessive force and mistreatment during arrests and mass raids.
“I feel like this would simply exacerbate an issue that is already on its own out of control,” Stalker said.
Advocacy group Kentucky Citizens for Democracy also spoke out against the proposal, saying lawmakers should reject it.
“This proposal, which strips local governments of the ability to decide their own level of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, is fundamentally unacceptable,” the group said. “Forcing them into mandatory cooperation with ICE will deepen fear, break trust, and push our immigrant neighbors further into the shadows.”
Interim committees do not vote on proposals. When the General Assembly reconvenes in January, lawmakers can take action on bills during regular committee hearings.
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