More Tennessee agencies are signing up to assist ICE in enforcing federal immigration law through the 287(g) program.

Back in July 2025, only a handful of county agencies were participating. Fast forward to January 2026, now 40 are participating, according to Tennessee’s Department of Safety & Homeland Security.

LEER EN ESPAÑOL | Más agencias de Tennessee ayudando ICE por el programa 287(g)

Many of those participating counties are in our area, as of December 31, 2025:

Hamilton CountyBradley CountyPolk CountyMarion CountyGrundy CountyMcMinn County

Additionally, the Grundy County Constable District 3 municipality has a pending application to join, according to ICE’s website.

287(g) Program Participating Counties Map - Tennessee (12/31/25)

TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Walker and Whitfield Counties in Northwest Georgia are also participating.


UPDATE: Hamilton Co. Sheriff's Office partner with ICE in jail system

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is currently pending the program as well. 

The 287(g) program has three models:

Jail Enforcement Model – identify and process those with criminal or pending criminal charges, arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies, without US citizenship.

Task Force Model – officers can enforce limited immigration authority while performing routine police duties, such as identifying a suspected undocumented immigrant at a DUI checkpoint

Warrant Service Officer Program – allows ICE to train, certify, and authorize state and local law enforcement to serve warrants on those without US within each agency’s jail.

ICE trains state and local law enforcement agencies at no charge through the program. You can learn more about the partnerships on their website.Â