At an event in Grapevine, Texas ICE formally announced that 18 new 287(g) agreements had been signed throughout the state of Texas. This brings the total number of agreements to 60, almost double from the number of active agreements in 2016.

A 287(g) agreement allows local police in those jurisdictions to be trained to enforce federal immigration laws. This training provides state and local police with additional tools they can use to prosecute crimes committed by aliens, especially gang violence and document fraud, while reducing the impact of illegal immigration on local communities.

“The 287(g) program is about identifying criminality, not nationality,” said Sheriff A.J. Louderback of Jackson County, Texas. “The common bond in professional law enforcement is a public safety partnership and those who stand here today have chosen the best possible path to protecting their communities.”

The following counties were present to announce their new 287(g) partnerships:

Aransas County

Calhoun County

Chambers County

DeWitt County

Galveston County

Goliad County

Jackson County

Lavaca County

Lubbock County

Matagorda County

Montgomery County

Refugio County

Smith County

Tarrant County

Victoria County

Walker County

Waller County

Wharton County

Read ICE’s full press release here.