287(g) push meets pushback
State legislators in South Carolina advanced a bill to require all local law‑enforcement agencies to adopt federal 287(g) immigration agreements — even as a conservative Virginia locality recently rejected similar cooperation. The split shows how enforcement expansion is gaining ground in some statehouses while localities push back on community‑trust arguments. (wtoc.com) (wvtf.org)
South Carolina’s House Bill H.4764 would add Section 23‑1‑260 to state law to require any law‑enforcement agency operating a correctional facility to enter written agreements with federal immigration enforcement agencies and directs SLED to create an illegal‑immigration‑enforcement training program. (scstatehouse.gov) Rep. Travis Moore (R‑Spartanburg) is the bill’s chief sponsor, and the House subcommittee chaired by him gave the measure a favorable report in a 3–1 vote. (charlestoncitypaper.com) Supporters told lawmakers that 42 South Carolina agencies already participate in 287(g) models, while the bill would require agencies to begin seeking agreements as soon as the law takes effect, demonstrate at least annual attempts to reach agreements, and could withhold grant access from agencies that fail to show effort. (wach.com) The bill was met with organized opposition: the ACLU of South Carolina released a report titled “Deputized for Disaster” on Feb. 26, 2026, and the ACLU and dozens of municipal officials, civil‑rights advocates and small‑business owners testified at public hearings urging rejection of H.4764. (assets.aclu.org) The push in Columbia contrasts with moves in Virginia, where Gov. Abigail Spanberger in early February 2026 ordered state agencies to terminate 287(g) participation even as local contracts remain and at least 28 Virginia agencies were listed active or pending as of Feb. 20, 2026; one conservative Virginia locality recently declined to pursue new 287(g) cooperation. (13newsnow.com)
