New statewide agreement follows passage of the North Carolina Border Protection Act and could allow specially trained troopers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions during routine duties.
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has entered into a federal 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, expanding cooperation between state troopers and federal immigration authorities under a recently enacted state law.
The agreement is listed as a Task Force Model agreement, a version of the program that allows designated officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions while carrying out regular law enforcement duties after receiving federal training and authorization.
The agreement stems from Senate Bill 153, known as the North Carolina Border Protection Act. The measure became law after the North Carolina General Assembly voted to override a veto by Gov. Josh Stein earlier this year.
The law requires the State Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, Department of Public Safety and Department of Adult Correction to enter into agreements with ICE.
Under the federal 287(g) program, selected officers must complete ICE-approved training and operate under federal supervision when exercising delegated immigration authority. Depending on the agreement and authorization granted, designated officers may be allowed to carry out specific immigration-related enforcement functions that ordinarily would be performed by federal officers.
The Highway Patrol’s agreement differs from more limited jail-based versions of the program because the Task Force Model can be used outside detention facilities as officers perform routine law enforcement responsibilities.
Reports indicate that this model may allow trained officers to exercise limited immigration enforcement authority during activities such as traffic enforcement and participation in ICE-led operations.
State law also requires participating agencies to establish procedures for determining whether individuals in an agency’s custody or under its supervision are U.S. citizens or are lawfully present in the United States.
If status cannot be determined through available information or documentation, the law provides for communication with federal immigration authorities.
Supporters have argued the law strengthens cooperation between state and federal authorities, while civil rights organizations have raised concerns about community trust, civil liberties and the potential for racial profiling.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has not publicly released detailed operational guidance explaining how the agreement will be implemented during routine roadside encounters. Those policies are expected to provide additional clarity regarding how designated officers will exercise any delegated federal authority under the program.
Coastal Carolina News wants to hear from readers.
How do you think North Carolina’s new cooperation agreement between the State Highway Patrol and ICE could affect your community?
Readers from Columbus, Brunswick and surrounding counties are invited to share their perspectives, questions or personal experiences through our Contact Page. Respectful comments from all viewpoints may help inform future coverage.
Privacy Notice: Personal contact information submitted through our Contact Page will not be published without your consent. If you would like your comments, experiences or identity treated confidentially, please indicate that when contacting us. While Coastal Carolina News takes reasonable steps to protect information submitted by readers, online and email communications should not be considered completely secure.
© 2026 CoastalCarolinaNews.com | Jones Media Partners LLC. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment