Denton County joins ICE task force program, first in North Texas

Authorities said the Denton County Sheriff's Office became the first North Texas county to join the 287(g) Task Force Model after signing a federal immigration enforcement agreement with ICE.

The arrangement allows select Denton County deputies to execute limited immigration officer tasks under ICE supervision. The news broke on FOX 4.

Sheriff Tracy Murphree reiterated that the federal government will fund training and processing and implement the program gradually.

"When our officers handle some of these cases, the federal government pays them," Murphree added. ICE will cover all training costs. Processing and such.”

Local law enforcement agencies can work with ICE through task force and jail-based arrangements under 287(g). Under federal supervision, Denton County deputies can help with field enforcement under the task force concept.

Texas increases financial incentives for 287(g) counties. Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced a new state grant program that will give counties $80,000 to $140,000, dependent on population, for training and equipment.

Hancock said, “The state is now providing financial assistance by tailoring funding to the size of each county.”

Harris County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, whose agency participates in a jail-based 287(g) program, said the funds might help budget-strapped departments.

“We’re always struggling with funds, positions, etc.,” Waybourn added. "This will be a welcome dollar amount."

Waybourn said his department runs the program in the jail but might try alternative models. “We could expand to other 287(g) programs,” he said.

Some major North Texas agencies are diverging. Dallas turned down a $25 million government offer to join 287(g) in October 2025.

“We said, ‘Absolutely not, no,’” Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux stated. “That was me who said, ‘declined.”

Comeaux said Dallas police seldom work with ICE and do not enforce immigration laws. Department policy prohibits officers from stopping or arresting people for immigration status.

In a separate CBS News Texas interview, acting ICE Dallas Field Office director Robert Cerna stated local relationships impact state enforcement.

Cerna stated, “We have local partnerships, and we work well with all our local, federal, and state partners. ICE can operate in non-participating areas, he added.

Texas jail counties must reach an arrangement with ICE by 2026. Over 150 of the state's 254 counties have already reached an arrangement with ICE.

North Texas' Collin County jail-based ICE arrangement is pending.