A group of House Democrats is reintroducing legislation aimed at abolishing the 287(g) program, which permits state and local law enforcement agencies to engage in federal immigration enforcement. The proposed bill, known as the PROTECT Immigration Act, is being brought forward as the new year approaches.

Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) has stated that the 287(g) program negatively impacts relationships between police and the communities they serve. She emphasized that when immigrants and their U.S. citizen family members fear deportation, they are less likely to report crimes or seek police assistance.

Representative Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), a long-time advocate for the bill since 2017, reiterated the importance of maintaining trust between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. He noted that the increasing number of departments participating in the 287(g) program has strained resources and eroded community trust, potentially leading to an increase in unreported crime.

Representative Sarah McBride (D-Del.) called for Congressional action, asserting that the current situation cannot continue without oversight. The 287(g) program has been a focal point of immigration policy, particularly during the Trump administration, which prioritized border security and increased deportations. Former President Trump characterized immigration enforcement as essential for public safety, claiming that legislative measures were unnecessary for effective border control.

The likelihood of the PROTECT Immigration Act passing in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives remains low. If enacted, the bill would not prohibit local and state law enforcement from collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal agencies but would eliminate the 287(g) program, which critics argue is subject to misuse.