Major jump in how many local police agencies are working with ICE

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – We saw a dramatic uptick in local police agencies who are partnering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

56 have signed up in Tennessee alone.

That compares to just 14 by last summer.

There are 3 programs local agencies can join up with.

The Jail Enforcement model allows jails to pull out suspects in their facilities and hand them over to ICE.

In our area, Hamilton, Bradley, Catoosa, Walker, and Whitfield Counties ae all taking part.

The Task Force model allows officers to identify suspected aliens to ICE while on patrols, including DUI stops.

Bradley, Polk, and DeKalb (AL) counties do that.

The Warrant Service model trains and enlists local officers to serve warrants on suspected aliens in our area.

Bradley, Grundy, Marion, McMinn, Polk and Dade counties have signed up for that.

Also, both Grundy and Polk have pending applications for the Task Force model.

Of course, ICE itself is greatly expanding during the immigration crackdown.

The Department of Homeland Security now reports they have grown 120% with 22,000 agents.

And they are always looking for more.