By W. Carsten Andresen, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, St. Edward’s University

During his first few months in office, President Donald Trump has been establishing a framework for deporting undocumented immigrants en masse. It is something he has previously vowed will be “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.”

Part of that operation includes what’s known as the federal 287(g) program. Established in 1996, it allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose work is normally carried out by federal officials, to train state and local authorities to function as federal immigration officers.

Under 287(g), for example, local police officers can interview people to determine their immigration status. They can also issue immigration detainers to jail p

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