ICE & the Mesa PD
287(g) Agreement
Attend the City Council meetings regularly and submit comment cards opposing the 287(g) agreement. Register here.
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State and local law enforcement agencies partner with ICE through 287(g) agreements.
These give law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency's direct and supervision.
There are three different models of the agreement:
Jail Enforcement Model (the type Mesa has)
Task Force Model (revived under the 2025 Trump administration)
Warrant Service Officer Program
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These agreements are optional and can be terminated at any time.
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When Biden left office, there were approx. 135 active agreements. There are now over 1000+ and growing.
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Reports and investigations confirm these agreements lead to constitutional violations, including racial profiling.
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More Resources here.
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Background:
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- Mesa PD has had an active 287(g) agreement since 2009.
- Mesa PD has the Jail Enforcement Model, which allows officers with special ICE training to screen inmates on their immigration status at the city jail while in custody
- Ken Cost, retired police chief who signed the current 287(g) agreement, is now an assistant city manager, making approx. $270k a year.
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What We Want:
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- The City of Mesa to cancel the 287(g) agreement between ICE and the Mesa PD.
- Ask for accountability and oversight into how this program is currently being handled
- Keep the agreement from escalating
- Bring awareness to Mesa and Arizona residents
- Progressive City Council members
 
What We're Doing:
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- Sending emails to the city council, the Mayor, and the City Manager. Template here.
- Attending City Council meetings regularly and submitting comment cards opposing the 287(g) agreement. Register here.
- Voting in the 2026 City Council elections (Districts 4, 5, and 6 will be up for election).
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