Ash Grove Police Department saddles up with ICE

AGPD one of 19 municipalities to join 287(g) program, funds available for department
 
The Ash Grove Police Department has joined forces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an agency under their 287(g) program, making them one of just a handful of Missouri municipalities to do so.
The ICE Delegation of Immigration Authority Section, also known as section 287(g), is an added section to the Immigration and Nationality Act “…authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight.”
The decision to partner with immigration police through the 287(g) program was made fairly recently, with an ICE database showing that the Ash Grove police force signed up on Nov. 19, 2025. According to Chief of Police John Davis, the program was presented to him by an agent from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office in Springfield. From there, the issue was discussed between Mayor Caleb Smith and himself; it was also discussed with members of the Ash Grove Board of Aldermen, where it received approval. The police department then moved forward, signing a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Homeland Security.
Ash Grove Police Department is listed on the ICE website as contributing under the task force model of support, one of three such models. The task force model of support authorizes the Ash Grove Police Department to identify and report suspected illegal immigrants who have not been charged with crimes. It also allows them to exercise limited immigration authority under ICE oversight as well as serve and execute administrative warrants on illegal immigrants, according to Davis.

The two other methods of support are the Jail Enforcement Model and the Warrant Service Officer Program
The Jail Enforcement model of support is described as follows by ICE: “The Jail Enforcement Model allows your officers to identify and process removable aliens currently in your jail or detention facility who have pending or active criminal charges while they’re in your custody.”
The Warrant Service Officer Program is described as follows: “Under the Warrant Service Officer Program, ICE trains, certifies, and authorizes your officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens currently in your agency’s custody.”
According to the ICE database, only 19 Missouri municipalities are registered for the 287(g) program, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol also listed.
Davis said his department is joining the program as it allows them to support the efforts of the federal government and allocates them resources for doing so.
“We joined the program to support our federal partners in enforcing immigration laws and to provide our community with resources to sustain our ongoing efforts to keep it safe,” he said.

Funds available for participating
Ash Grove stands to gain access to funds by participating. According to Davis, law enforcement agencies that participate in the task force model of support will have access to $7,500 in equipment per task force officer, $100,000 for new vehicles per memorandum of agreement, salary and benefits reimbursed per task force officer and overtime funds up to 25 percent of salary.
Currently, the police department has not made any arrests or detentions since joining the program, as they have just completed training and are set to receive certification, said Davis. Any individuals arrested by the police department for immigration-related crimes will be taken to and processed by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
The Greene Sheriff’s Office has an agreement with ICE that provides them with jail space for those arrested for immigration reasons. An article by KY3 from Sept. 26 states that there are an average of 240 ICE detainees in the jail each day, with the federal government picking up the tab.
When asked if there was any worry surrounding the optics of joining forces with an agency that has stirred such controversy, Davis said that the department is always careful when making decisions such as these.
“We are always mindful of decisions that could affect our community and try to consider all perspectives before making a decision,” he said. “At this time, we do not expect this to be an issue within our community.”