Press Release

                                                                                                                        March 27, 2026

York County Regional Police Department Announces Authorization to Enter 287(g) Agreement with ICE

York, PA — On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the York County Regional Police Department Board of Commissioners voted to approve the Department’s entry into a contractual agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), commonly known as a 287(g) agreement.

This decision follows extensive research and consultation with representatives from all levels of government, members of the clergy, and respected leaders throughout the community.

With the signing of this agreement, the York County Regional Police Department’s participation will be carefully limited. Department officers will receive training and support from ICE agents while in the officer’s normal course of law enforcement duties. 

This approach is designed to protect the community by allowing our officers who are in uniform and operating marked patrol vehicles that identifies them as police officers to avoid any confusion of law enforcement authority with the overall public. 

Common interactions experienced by police officers involves encountering individuals who are operating a motor vehicle without proper licensing or documentation. Currently, the police officer does not have the authority to request / investigate the immigration status of the individual.  The other interaction is investigating an individual during a criminal investigation. The same applies in this scenario that the officer does not have the ability or the resources to determine if the individual is lawfully in the United States.  This agreement permits the officer to detain and verify the immigration status of the person in question. 

This agreement will also permit the police department to have information relating to enforcement activities within our police jurisdiction so that the police officers and department are informed of potential enforcement activity being conducted by federal authorities.  The police officers of the Department are held to the same standard as Pennsylvania law enforcement officers and must continue to follow all Department policies and procedures while operating under 287(g) and similar agreements.

Background on the 287(g) Program

The 287(g) program, established in 1996, allows state and local law enforcement officers to perform certain functions of federal immigration enforcement. This may include questioning, investigating, and, in some cases, arresting individuals for civil immigration violations—authority traditionally reserved for federal officers. The program has existed under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Local agencies participating in 287(g) enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with ICE and designate officers who receive specialized training provided by federal authorities.

Program Models

There are three primary 287(g) models currently in use:

• Jail Enforcement Model: Individuals entering a local jail with criminal convictions or pending charges are screened for legal status. If found to be in the country unlawfully, ICE is notified and may assume custody pending removal proceedings.
• Warrant Service Officer Model: Local officers are trained to serve and execute administrative warrants on individuals already in custody within local detention facilities.
• Task Force Model: Officers may, under ICE supervision and approval, question, stop, and arrest individuals for immigration violations during routine policing activities in the community.

(Note: A fourth model, the Tribal Task Force Model, exists but is not currently in use.)

YCRPD Implementation Model

The York County Regional Police Department will operate under the following 287(g) model:
Task Force Model

Commitment to Community and Core Values

The York County Regional Police Department is a full-service, primary response law enforcement agency committed to protecting and preserving life and property through effective law enforcement, dedication to public safety, and service to the community.

Members of the Department proudly and respectfully serve all individuals within the community regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other distinction.

While operating under the 287(g) agreement, the Department remains steadfast in upholding its core values:

EXCELLENCE • RESPECT • INTEGRITY • SERVICE

Our priority remains the safety and well-being of the community we serve. This agreement is structured to ensure accountability, transparency, and the fair application of the law, while maintaining the trust and confidence of our residents.