AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 8, Requiring Local Law Enforcement to Assist the Federal Government’s Deportation Efforts, by Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown:

“I am prioritizing SB 8 because as Lt. Governor, keeping Texas safe is my number one priority. It is not a controversial issue. Instead of releasing illegal immigrants, many of whom are dangerous criminals and military-aged men, back onto our streets, our counties should enter 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Thirty-six Texas counties already have a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Passage of SB 8 into law will bring Texas counties with the largest jail populations into a 287(g) agreement with ICE to prevent illegal immigrants, some of whom are dangerous criminals, from wreaking havoc on Texas communities. I thank Sen. Schwertner for this commonsense, critical legislation to keep our state safe.”

Senate Bill 8, by Sen. Charles Schwertner, requires counties with populations of 100,000 or more to enter 287(g) agreements with ICE. 287(g) agreements allow local law enforcement officers to receive delegated authority from ICE to act as ICE agents in certain capacities. The Biden Administration gutted this program, but the Trump Administration has revamped it.

Counties with a population of 1,000,000 or fewer can apply for reimbursement assistance grants through the Texas comptroller’s office to pay for their 287(g) agreement.