Pittsburgh-area agencies officially helping ICE
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Several Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies are cooperating with federal efforts to arrest and remove undocumented immigrants through a partnership program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Why it matters: An Axios analysis of removal orders, pending deportation cases and agreements between immigration officials and local law enforcement agencies nationwide sheds light on where the Trump administration is dispatching resources to support its mass deportation plan.
Context: The Trump administration is encouraging agencies to sign up for 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement to carry out immigration enforcement and supplement federal officers, who have limited resources, according to Trump border czar Tom Homan.
Zoom in: 11 law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania have signed 287(g) agreements, per federal data as of Tuesday. Another five have applications pending.
- Two constable offices in the Pittsburgh region — one in Lower Burrell and one in Westmoreland County's Sewickley Township — have signed ICE agreements.
- Butler County sheriffs and Washington County sheriffs have applications pending.
What they're saying: Tim Kregiel, constable in Lower Burrell's Fourth Ward, said there are too many migrants illegally crossing into the nation. He has signed an agreement with ICE but is awaiting training until his department can carry out immigration enforcement.
- "Our country is in distress. We are just trying to save our country," he said.
The other side: Monica Ruiz of immigrant rights group Casa San José criticized the high level of ICE enforcement compared to the first Trump administration, with deportations occurring as immigrants check in with ICE for regular appointments and during raids.
- "Enforcement is happening 24/7. They are able to do what they are doing anyway, whether local police are collaborating or not," she said.
The big picture: Axios' review shows local law enforcement agencies in Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia have been most cooperative with ICE in rounding up immigrants through 287(g) agreements.
- There are 629 such agreements now in place across the country. About 43% of them are in Florida, followed by 14% in Texas and 5% in Georgia.
Go deeper: Where the hot spots are for immigration enforcement