Story perspectives

ICE Agreements Surge 950% Amid Local Policing Tensions

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

During U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement agreements rose 950% to 1,168 agencies.
The reintroduction of the task force model lets local police make immigration arrests.
Critics say the policy blurs lines between local policing and federal enforcement.
Hudson County has enacted measures to limit ICE presence.
Local police leaders warn of operational challenges amid tensions with federal agents.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation significantly altered U.S. demographics, increasing immigration from Asia and Africa. By 2019, over 1,168 local agencies collaborated with ICE, reflecting ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement.

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Story summary

During U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement agreements rose 950% to 1,168 agencies.
The reintroduction of the task force model lets local police make immigration arrests.
Critics say the policy blurs lines between local policing and federal enforcement.
Hudson County has enacted measures to limit ICE presence.
Local police leaders warn of operational challenges amid tensions with federal agents.

1 / 2