Banks Urges Stinesville, Monroe Country Officials to Ratify Police Department’s 287 (g) AgreementThursday, November 5, 2026

Senator calls on local officials to release funding allocated to the department WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to the Stinesville Town Board and Monroe County Board of Commissioners urging them to ratify the Stinesville Police Department’s 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and swiftly release the funds allocated under the agreement. Banks said the agreement provides the department with funding and training to strengthen its work. He also cited Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s position that no legal authority exists that prevents the department from entering into the agreement and requires prior local board approval. Banks urged local officials to support the agreement and put residents’ safety first. Background: The 287 (g) program allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE to enforce federal immigration law. According to Banks’ letter, ICE provides participating agencies with resources such as equipment, vehicles, and training. Banks noted that 45 Indiana law enforcement agencies, including the Indiana State Police, have entered 287 (g) agreements. ICE has committed more than $1 million to its Indiana partners. Read the Daily Wire Exclusive here : Read the full letter here or below: To the members of the Stinesville Town Board and Monroe County Board of Commissioners: I write to you regarding the 287(g) agreement entered into by the Stinesville Police Department. I urge you to vote to ratify this agreement and to swiftly release all funds allocated under the agreement to the Police Department. 287(g) agreements serve critical public safety purposes. These agreements were established by Congress to allow state and local government bodies to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration law. ICE provides local agencies with equipment, new vehicles, training, and other resources. Forty-five Indiana law enforcement agencies, including the Indiana State Police Department, have entered into 287(g) agreements. ICE has committed over $1 million to its Indiana partners. I have been disappointed to learn that the Stinesville Police Department is now under pressure to end its 287(g) agreement with ICE. The agreement includes funding and training that will strengthen the Department. As Attorney General Todd Rokita noted, no legal authorities prevent the Department from entering the agreement, or require it to obtain approval from the local board before doing so. To the contrary, local entities violate state law by restricting local law enforcement from working with federal authorities to enforce immigration law. Depriving the Department of funding to which it is lawfully entitled jeopardizes the safety of Stinesville and its residents. I encourage the Council to vote in support of the Department’s agreement, and to put the well-being of the American people first. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. ###