Cooperation with ICE Divides Red and Blue States

• Red and Blue States Divided Over ICE
• Federal Pressure on Cities
• Deportations and Local Cooperation

According to CNN, cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement has become one of the main dividing lines between states governed by Republicans and Democrats. CNN

The issue has also intensified the conflict between the administration of US President Donald Trump and Democratic state and local officials.

While Congress debates possible limits on the tactics used by federal immigration agents, states are moving in opposite directions.

Red states are pushing laws that require local law enforcement agencies to formally cooperate with ICE.

In contrast, more blue states are seeking to ban or restrict any type of cooperation with the federal agency.

This divide is widening amid Trump’s push for a mass deportation agenda, reinforcing how ICE cooperation divides red and blue states.

Federal Pressure and State Resistance

ANALYSIS | Cooperation with ICE is the latest divide between red and blue states https://t.co/cvEKe0NddP

— CNN en Español (@CNNEE) February 8, 2026

Trump and Republicans in Congress have attempted to pressure blue states to adopt the cooperation policies promoted by red states.

The president has sought to block federal funding to states and cities that limit their collaboration with ICE.

However, those efforts have been repeatedly halted by the courts.

During negotiations over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, some Republicans have increased the pressure.

They have proposed penalties for so-called sanctuary states or cities.

These measures have even contemplated criminal sanctions against local officials.

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Despite this, Republicans do not have the 60 votes needed in the Senate to pass these initiatives.

The administration has also adjusted its enforcement strategy to increase pressure on Democratic jurisdictions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly suggested that officials in Minnesota share sensitive voter information with the federal government.

That request was rejected by state authorities.

Trump and border czar Tom Homan have also warned of more intrusive federal operations in cities that refuse to cooperate.

The Key Role of Local Police

Trump’s ability to meet his deportation goals depends largely on local cooperation.

Immigration experts note that between 70% and 75% of ICE arrests come from transfers carried out by local police departments.

Without that collaboration, reaching targets such as 3,000 arrests per day becomes difficult.

This reality has given state and local governments significant leverage.

States such as New York, New Mexico, and Maryland are using that leverage to impose new barriers to cooperation.

According to experts, public backlash against early federal deployments has weakened the administration’s pressure strategy.

Criticism following operations in cities like Minneapolis has reduced the deterrent impact of these threats.

Political analysts say public perception and imagery surrounding these actions have shifted rapidly.

This marks a notable contrast with the context that helped pave Trump’s return to the White House, further illustrating why ICE cooperation divides red and blue states.

How Cooperation with ICE Works

The main mechanism for cooperation between ICE and local agencies is the 287(g) program.

This program was created in 1996 through legislation passed by a Republican-controlled Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton.

It allows local agencies to work with ICE under three different models.

The Jail Enforcement Model authorizes questioning detainees and holding them for up to an additional 48 hours.

The Warrant Service Officer model allows local officers to serve ICE warrants without conducting interrogations.

The Task Force Model is the broadest and authorizes enforcement of federal immigration laws during routine patrols.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, as of February 6 there were 1,381 active agreements across 40 states.

That figure is nearly ten times higher than at the end of the Biden administration.

States such as Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Arkansas have passed laws requiring agencies to sign these agreements.

Texas, Florida, and Georgia alone account for more than half of the current partnerships.

By contrast, large Democratic-led cities and states have moved to prohibit these agreements.

California, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, and recently New Mexico have imposed formal limits.

New York has become a prominent example of this political shift.

Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed canceling existing agreements and banning new cooperation deals with ICE.

This change reflects how much immigration policy and public debate have evolved over the past 15 months, underscoring once again how ICE cooperation divides red and blue states.