The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has released a comprehensive report titled “Agents of Chaos and Cruelty,” highlighting the alarming pattern of racial profiling, threats, and excessive force in ICE operations during the second term of President Trump. This report comes in the wake of the tragic killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas and Joan Durán Guerrero in Maine, shedding light on the widespread misconduct occurring in states across the nation.
The report underscores that the abuses witnessed in Minneapolis are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader, systemic issue. As ICE continues to expand its funding and presence, the civil rights violations and outright murders remain unchecked and unaccountable at the federal level. This lack of oversight has left states, cities, and communities to grapple with the daunting task of holding ICE accountable.
Outsourcing Enforcement and Detention
One of the most concerning aspects of ICE’s operations is the outsourcing of enforcement and detention to local police departments and jail facilities. This practice has significantly complicated efforts to track and address the abuses. In Virginia, for instance, ICE arrests have surged from 1,595 in 2026 to 9,000 in 2026. Shockingly, 13 minors under the age of six were detained by ICE during this period.
The escalation in arrests can be attributed to an increase in 287(g) and IGSA agreements, as well as voluntary compliance with ICE detainer requests. Under 287(g) agreements, local law enforcement officers are granted delegated powers to enforce federal immigration law, often with minimal training. The Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) found that when state and local agencies comply with ICE, they are diverting resources and assuming risks, often at the expense of public safety concerns and legal constraints.
As of December 2026, Virginia had 27 active 287(g) agreements, involving 23 local sheriffs, two jails, and two local police departments. These agreements have resulted in at least 223 state and local personnel being delegated to act as immigration enforcement officers, with 157 of them certified. This includes two “security resource officers” in public schools and one “behavioral health advocate.”
IGSA Agreements and Detention Centers
IGSA agreements transform local jails into detention entry points, extending ICE’s detention capacity. Under these deals, jail beds are rented out to ICE on a per diem basis to house immigration detainees. ICE has IGSA agreements with Riverside Regional Jail Authority in Prince George County and Southwest Regional Jail in Abingdon.
Once a person is held on an ICE detainer, they are likely to be transferred to an official ICE detention center. In Virginia, there are two such facilities: the Caroline Detention Center in Caroline County and the Farmville Detention Center in Prince Edward County. According to TRAC Immigration, over 70% of detainees at these centers have never been convicted of a crime. Of the remainder, only 1% have been convicted of a serious, though not necessarily violent, crime.
The Role of ICE Detainers
In addition to formal agreements, there are informal methods of collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement. Nationwide, 70% of all ICE arrests result from ICE detainers and transfers from other law enforcement agencies, rather than highly-publicized raids by uniformed ICE personnel. An ICE detainer is a request for a jail to transfer someone detained for a non-immigration offense directly to immigration authorities.
These detainers include a “courtesy call” to notify ICE of the release date and time for a person of interest and a “hold” to keep the person in custody for up to an additional 48 hours, allowing ICE time to pick them up. Importantly, these requests are based on ICE warrants, which are administrative warrants issued by ICE without judicial authority. Courts across the U.S. have found ICE holds to be unconstitutional.
The most common conviction listed amongst Central Virginia’s ICE detainees was driving under the influence of alcohol, with 816 bookings. In over 200 cases, the most serious offense a detainee had ever been found guilty of was a traffic violation. This raises serious questions about the necessity and justification of these detentions.
State Officials’ Response
In the face of ICE’s increased assault on communities, state officials have responded with half-hearted efforts to address the issue. The lack of strong, decisive action has allowed ICE to continue its operations with minimal resistance. This has left communities vulnerable and without adequate protection from federal overreach.
The ACLU’s report on police-custody deaths in Maryland highlights the institutional failures that contribute to these tragedies. Over a nine-year period, 143 people died in police custody, with significant racial disparities and a lack of accountability for the officers involved. The report emphasizes the need for systemic changes to prevent such losses of life.
As the debate over immigration enforcement continues, it is crucial to examine the role of local law enforcement in these operations. The growing partnership between ICE and local police departments has serious implications for civil rights and community trust. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the well-being and safety of all community members.
