U.S. Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) and nine other Republicans on March 25 introduced a bill that would require local police departments to work with federal immigration authorities if they want to receive certain federal policing grants.
“The federal government should be working hand-in-hand with state and local law enforcement to enforce our immigration laws,” Rep. Cline said.
Rep. Cline sponsored the 287(g) Cooperation Act of 2026, H.R. 8077, alongside original cosponsors including U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) to amend section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to make the entering into memorandums of agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a condition of eligibility for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program.
“The 287(g) Cooperation Act ensures that communities receiving federal policing funds are also partnering with ICE to keep dangerous individuals off our streets. By strengthening these proven partnerships, we can enhance public safety, uphold the rule of law, and better protect American communities,” added the congressman.
NumbersUSA, the Immigration Accountability Project, and the Federation for American Immigration Reform endorsed the measure, which has been referred to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for consideration.