As of December 2024, ICE has entered into Jail Enforcement Model (JEM) agreements with 60 law enforcement agencies across 16 states, enhancing collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in immigration enforcement. In Georgia, for example, ICE has partnered with six law enforcement agencies, including the Georgia Department of Corrections. Notably, three of the five other agencies are located in Northwest Georgia and include: Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office.

The rationale behind ICE’s use of Jail Enforcement is multifaceted. Primarily, the agency detains aliens to ensure their presence during immigration hearings, thus maintaining the integrity of the legal process. Additionally, ICE facilitates the removal of individuals to their countries of citizenship, seeking to uphold immigration laws. Public safety is also a significant concern; by detaining potentially removable aliens, ICE aims to mitigate risks posed to communities. Moreover, the program is designed to conserve government resources by streamlining the removal process. The implications of ICE detention for individuals involved are substantial. ICE establishes initial bond amounts for detainees eligible for release. Those who can afford to post bond are granted their freedom, while those unable to meet the financial requirements can request a bond re-determination hearing.

Critics of the Jail Enforcement Model, such as the National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC) say ICE’s detention system incentivizes incarceration for maximum profits.  In a statement NIJC said, ” Private prison companies grossly enrich themselves while local governments pad shrinking budgets. The people trapped in this system, however, suffer severe human rights abuses”.

As the discourse surrounding immigration policy continues, the ICE Jail Enforcement program remains a pivotal aspect of the federal approach to managing removable aliens within the local and state justice systems.