Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas National Guard has formally requested authorization to participate in immigration enforcement efforts, signaling the state’s growing involvement in federal immigration operations. The request was submitted to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency as the Trump administration continues to expand its immigration enforcement initiatives.
According to ICE documents, the Arkansas National Guard, along with the Arkansas State Police and other local agencies, is seeking to join the 287(g) program. This federal program permits state and local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions, including arresting or jailing individuals identified as “criminal aliens and immigration violators.” The program has been used across the country to extend federal immigration enforcement capacity through partnerships with local authorities.
The Arkansas National Guard applied under the so-called “task force model,” which ICE describes as a “force multiplier” for state and local agencies. Under this model, Guard members would be authorized to assist in enforcing limited immigration authority during routine law enforcement operations. While the application is currently pending, Arkansas State Police has already been approved under the same task force model, allowing its officers to assist with immigration enforcement on a limited basis.
It is currently unclear when the National Guard will receive final approval or when Guard members would begin participating in immigration-related arrests. State officials and law enforcement leaders have expressed interest in expanding the Guard’s role in public safety, citing the potential for increased support to local police and sheriff’s offices.
In 2025, the Republican-led Arkansas legislature passed a law granting sheriff’s offices in the state the authority to participate in the 287(g) program. Since then, 11 sheriff’s offices and two police departments have been approved to carry out immigration enforcement duties. Some agencies, including the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office and the Osceola Police Department, are awaiting approval, alongside the Arkansas National Guard.
Currently, law enforcement agencies in Arkansas approved under the 287(g) program include a mix of task force, jail enforcement, and warrant service officer models. The Arkansas State Police operate under the task force model, while Baxter County Sheriff’s Office uses both warrant service and task force methods. Other agencies, such as Benton and Craighead County Sheriff’s Offices, are approved for jail enforcement, and Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office uses both warrant service and task force models. Smaller departments, including Hampton Police and Texarkana Police Department, are authorized under the task force model, while multiple other counties rely on warrant service officers to carry out immigration-related duties.
The move by the Arkansas National Guard reflects a broader trend of state and local agencies seeking a more active role in immigration enforcement. Supporters of the program argue that involving state agencies can enhance public safety, ensure cooperation with federal authorities, and streamline the identification and removal of individuals violating federal immigration laws. Critics, however, have raised concerns that such programs can create tension between law enforcement and immigrant communities, potentially discouraging residents from reporting crimes or cooperating with police.
The National Guard’s involvement in immigration enforcement, if approved, would add a unique dimension to the program. Unlike local police, the Guard operates under a military structure and primarily serves in support roles during emergencies or state-directed missions. Their participation in routine immigration enforcement would represent a new level of integration between military-affiliated forces and civilian law enforcement under federal oversight.
With the pending approval, local residents and stakeholders are watching closely to see how the National Guard’s potential participation could affect communities across Arkansas. Law enforcement officials maintain that the Guard’s involvement would supplement existing efforts without replacing traditional policing responsibilities.
For now, the Arkansas National Guard, Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office, and Osceola Police Department remain in the approval queue, alongside a growing network of state and local agencies already engaged in immigration enforcement under the 287(g) program. The program’s expansion underscores Arkansas’ commitment to aligning with federal immigration initiatives, while balancing state and local law enforcement priorities.
