Through a federal contract with ICE, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office will have deputies trained to identify, detain, and transfer illegal criminal aliens to federal agents.
Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski said this is part of his partnership with the Southern Border Patrol Committee and “President Trump’s efforts to make America safe,” according to a news release on Facebook.
According to the news release, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office is obtaining a federal contract with ICE under the 287(g) Program. But Portage County and two other Ohio sheriff’s departments are already participating agencies, according to the ICE website.
“Ultimately, participating in the 287(g) Act allows the Portage County Sheriff’s Office to be more effective in enforcing both criminal and immigration laws, improving community safety and security,” the release states.
The contract falls under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The 287(g) Act allows state and local law enforcement officers to perform “specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight,” according to the ICE website.
The 287(g) Program allows ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens.
Specialty Deputies will be able to enforce federal immigration laws in Portage County, which the sheriff’s office says will enhance public safety.
“Although Portage County may not be a border community, the impacts of crime do not stop at border towns and in many ways impact communities throughout our county,” the release states. “As an office, we have encountered illegal immigrants during the course of our daily responsibilities.”
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations operates three 287(g) models, according to the ICE website:
- Jail Enforcement Model helps to identify and process removable aliens — with criminal or pending criminal charges — who are arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies.
- Task Force Model serves as a force multiplier for law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties.
- Warrant Service Officer program allows ICE to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in their agency’s jail.
Portage County is the third county in Ohio to sign the MOA with ICE. Both Portage and Seneca County Sheriff’s departments will participate in the Task Force Model and Warrant Service Officer program.
Butler County Sheriff’s Office participates in the Jail Enforcement Model and Task Force Model.
Law enforcement agencies interested in participating in the 287(g) Program must enter into memorandums of agreement with ICE. Participating agencies nominate officers to participate in the 287(g) Program, and they must meet certain requirements and receive training from ICE related to immigration duties.
As of April 11, 2025, ICE has signed 444 Memorandums of Agreement for 287(g) programs covering 38 states and another 75 287(g) program applications are pending.
WOIO 19 News found some community members who support the partnership.
“I’m good with getting rid of some of the illegals. They should come to this country legally. I have no problem if they’re coming legally,” said a woman who did not want to share her name in the 19 News report.
However, Cleveland Attorney David Leopold, the Chair of Immigration Practice at UB Greensfelder, said it’s a bad idea because immigration law is “very, very complicated.”
“And just because people may not have papers with them doesn’t mean that they’re not here legally, or have a right to be here legally,” Leopold told 19 News. “So, it’s very hard to train local police.”
Four Portage County international students have had their visas revoked, WOIO 19 News previously reported.
According to a letter from Kent State President Todd Diacon, one current student and three recent graduates had Optional Practical Training post-graduate work permits. Federal authorities recently revoked the work permit visas.
