West Virginia among states, counties helping ICE deport illegal immigrants

Counties and states are entering agreements with the federal government to hasten deportations of criminal illegal immigrants.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced this week his state signed a letter of intent to join the 287(g) program under President Donald Trump, which allows state corrections officers to transport criminal migrants into federal custody without direct supervision from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, assisting in the deportation process.

“West Virginia stands ready to carry out President Trump’s anti-illegal immigration agenda,” Morrisey, a Republican, said in a press release. “Today’s actions will ensure that criminal aliens can be expeditiously deported from our country.”

The governor’s action comes after he signed an executive order late last month directing all state law enforcement agencies to comply with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. He also sent local law enforcement agencies a letter informing them that he expects full compliance with ICE. 

Morrisey’s directive comes as other conservative jurisdictions are eager to partner with federal immigration enforcement officers. 

Nassau County, located on Long Island in New York, entered a 287(g) agreement with ICE earlier this week. The county plans to deputize 10 police detectives as immigration enforcement agents. 

“I want to thank President Donald J. Trump and Director (Tom) Homan for initiating this program – or I should say, re-initiating – and finally giving the ICE agents and local law enforcement the ability to do their job,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman told City & State New York. 

Nassau became the second New York county with such an agreement in place; Rensselaer County, located upstate, signed one in 2020. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has no immediate plans to terminate these partnerships. 

“We understand different municipalities have varying policies regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities,” Hochul spokesman Matthew Janiszewski told City & State News. “The New York State Police can coordinate with federal immigration authorities concerning criminal matters if there is a judicial warrant for an arrest. While we won’t comment on individual cases, Governor Hochul is committed to cracking down on violent criminals and protecting law-abiding families.” 

Additionally, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing legislation requiring every county statewide to participate in the 287(g) program, and it would suspend any public officials who refuse to comply if it becomes law. 

“Florida is ready to lead,” DeSantis, a Republican, said in a press release. “With President Trump taking office, Florida has a unique opportunity to help facilitate the end to America’s immigration crisis.” 

But not everyone is cooperating. 

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois for state and local laws that “interfere” with federal immigration enforcements.  

Trump and Homan have promised to go after sanctuary cities, including Chicago, Boston and New York, which have vowed not to cooperate with their deportation and enforcement efforts.