Trump Administration Plans Immigration Enforcement Expansion

President-elect Donald Trump's administration is planning to expand the 287(g) program, allowing local sheriffs to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. This proposal comes amid pushback from Democratic officials who aim to protect illegal aliens by limiting cooperation with federal immigration agencies. Sheriffs such as Richard Jones from Ohio and Chuck Jenkins from Maryland have expressed their readiness to support Trump's deportation efforts, citing issues with undocumented immigrants committing crimes. The 287(g) program, which has grown significantly in participation from 34 agencies in 2014 to over 140 by 2022, enables local law enforcement to identify and detain suspected illegal aliens. Critics, including the ACLU, warn that this could lead to increased racial profiling and undermine community trust in law enforcement. The tensions between state policies and federal immigration enforcement are expected to escalate as Trump moves forward with these plans.