What is a 287(g) agreement?

In late October 2025, Clermont County Commissioners approved and Clermont County Sheriff Christopher Stratton announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ICE to participate in the federal 287(g) Task Force. This partnership will allow specially trained Clermont County deputies to arrest and transport individuals on ICE warrants.

There are several types of 287(g) agreements. Read an explanation in this article.

As the article states, Clermont County is not the only local government in our area to enter into an agreement with the federal government to help arrest, detain or transport people picked up by federal agents on immigration-related charges. Those agreements vary in scope, and have caused concern and anger among some residents.

Does this issue arise at Board of Commissioners’ weekly meetings?

The Democracy Action Team at Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church is one of several groups that has people attending Clermont Commissioners’ meetings. Their attendance has become consistent, and many of them speak during the 30-minute public comment session. “We speak on various issues; food insecurity, mega data centers, lack of a shelter for the unhoused. Mostly about ICE and the legality of the contract with the county and all the community issues that arise from this action,” said Tracy Jo Duckworth, a member of the team and Union Township precinct captain. “We feel that it is imperative for them to hear our voices, see our faces and experience our bodies sitting in the chairs holding them accountable.”

At a recent meeting, several speakers asked the board to cancel the contract with ICE. “We want that agreement canceled,” said Clermont County resident Sue Yux, as reported in a meeting summary posted by the county.

Board members responded by describing the narrow scope of the county’s current arrangement. Commissioner Painter said the county’s contract was for training under the 287(g) framework. “The only contract that we have is for training our people,” a commissioner said during the exchange. He said county deputies receive training so that, if ICE operates in Clermont County, local deputies can work alongside federal agents while protecting civil rights.

What do you think?

Sue Yux encourages others to attend and participate in the Commissioners’ meetings. “It is difficult to gauge exactly how many Clermont County residents oppose the 287(g) contract and ICE cooperation. As long as the commissioners believe it is only our small group that is anti-ICE, they can continue to pacify us. I am interested in finding ways to demonstrate that a larger number of constituents share our discontent.” If you would like to learn more and/or join those who attend the weekly meetings, email Tracy Jo or text Julie Tolliver at 513-582-6552.

State legislation, if passed, could make 287(g) much less important

It’s true that if passed, one of the GOP super majority’s immigration bills, HB 26, would make discussions of Clermont County’s 287(g) agreement essentially moot, as it would take all decisionmaking power away from local governments. At this point HB 26 has been introduced in the Ohio Senate and has not yet had an intital committee meeting, so it is not moving quickly.