Carroll, New Hampshire: A Case Study in Local Police and Federal Immigration Enforcement

On March 2, 2023, Carroll, New Hampshire, a town with a population of 820, received a wire transfer of $122,515 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This payment marked Carroll as one of the first local governments to benefit financially from the Trump administration's initiative to enhance local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program. By participating in this program, Carroll's police department committed to assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration-related duties.

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The agreement involved all four full-time officers in Carroll, including the chief, lieutenant, and two patrol officers, becoming task force officers. In exchange for their participation, DHS agreed to cover various costs associated with their services, including salaries. This arrangement is not isolated; as of March 23, 2023, 920 law enforcement agencies, including 500 local police departments across the United States, have signed up for the program.

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Emails obtained through public records requests reveal that ICE actively recruited Carroll's police department by offering substantial financial incentives. Initially, in September 2022, ICE proposed up to $7,500 for equipment for each officer completing task force training and $100,000 for vehicle purchases for departments entering new agreements. By October, these incentives expanded to include full coverage of officers' annual salaries, overtime costs, and quarterly bonuses ranging from $500 to $1,000 based on the successful identification of undocumented individuals.

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The 287(g) program has sparked discussions about the implications of local police departments engaging in federal immigration enforcement. Proponents argue that such partnerships enhance community safety and support national security efforts. However, critics raise concerns about the potential for racial profiling and the erosion of trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.

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Opponents of the 287(g) program argue that it may lead to increased fear among immigrant populations, discouraging them from reporting crimes or cooperating with police. Critics also highlight the ethical implications of local police acting as extensions of federal immigration enforcement, suggesting that it could undermine community policing efforts.

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ICE has framed the 287(g) program as a collaborative effort to "safeguard the American people" and strengthen national security. The agency's communications emphasize the importance of local law enforcement in achieving these goals, stating, “Together, we are safeguarding the American people, working to strengthen the security and resilience of our nation, and upholding the rule of law.”

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While the number of law enforcement agencies participating in the 287(g) program is significant, there is limited information on the long-term effects of these partnerships on community relations and public safety. Further research is needed to assess the program's impact on immigrant communities and the overall effectiveness of local police in carrying out federal immigration enforcement duties.

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• “Thank you for your steadfast commitment to our shared mission to Defend the Homeland,” — ICE Recruitment Message

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• “Together, we are safeguarding the American people, working to strengthen the security and resilience of our nation, and upholding the rule of law.” — ICE Statement

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