Bill requiring S.C. law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration program advances 

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A bill advancing to the South Carolina House floor would require every local and county law enforcement agency with a detention center to participate in one of three federal 287(g) immigration enforcement partnerships.

Rep. Travis Moore, R-Spartanburg, says 42 agencies in the state already take part voluntarily, and mandating participation would make enforcement uniform statewide.

Moore, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is focused on people already in custody or charged with crimes — not on sending federal agents into communities.

“When you have people committing state‑level offenses against our citizens, and you find out they’re here illegally and have an order pending to be removed, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask them to notify Homeland Security,” Moore said.

The bill requires agencies to choose one of three compliance models:

• Jail Enforcement Model: Trained officers screen and process people in custody suspected of being in the country illegally.
• Task Force Model: Local agencies work with ICE‑led task forces and receive limited federal immigration authority.
• Warrant Service Officer Program: Officers are authorized to serve federal immigration warrants inside detention facilities.

Moore said most South Carolina agencies that already participate use the Jail Enforcement or Warrant Service models, both of which operate inside detention centers. “Both of those models are implemented at the detention center, not going into the community. I know that’s the narrative here,” he said.

Opponents argue the mandate could harm relationships between police and immigrant communities. Rep. Spencer Wetmore, D‑Charleston, said agencies trying to build trust should not be forced into federal partnerships.

“Why are we forcing the ones that are still trying to build trust in the community to collaborate with these federal agents when we know for a fact that’s just going to undermine trust with law enforcement?” Wetmore said.

Wetmore also noted Charleston County spent about $4 million implementing its 287(g) agreement. Lawmakers added an exemption for smaller agencies that can show the requirement is impractical or unaffordable.

Even with the exemption, Rep. John King, D‑York, who opposes the principle of the bill, said the state should provide funding if it mandates participation. “What are we doing as a state to help fund those municipalities and counties that will implement this? The answer to that question is nothing,” King said.

The bill could reach the House floor as early as this week.

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