Texas SB 8: Mandatory Sheriff–ICE 287(g) Jail Agreements

Status: In effect now — Texas Senate Bill 8 (mandatory sheriff–ICE 287(g) agreements) (Tex. S.B. 8, 89th Leg., R.S. (2025))

SB 8 took effect on January 1, 2026. It requires the sheriff of each Texas county that operates a jail — or that contracts with a private vendor to operate one — to request and enter into a written 287(g) immigration-enforcement agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill as introduced applied only to counties of 100,000 or more residents, but that population limit was removed in the final enrolled version (Gov't Code §753.051(a)), so the mandate now covers essentially every jail-operating county. Sheriffs have until December 1, 2026 to comply; after that date the Texas Attorney General may sue a sheriff who has not requested or entered into an agreement. The law also creates a state grant program, administered by the Texas Comptroller, to help cover implementation costs, with grant amounts based on county population.

Next step: December 1, 2026 — statutory deadline for every covered sheriff to comply with the 287(g) agreement requirement; after that date the Texas Attorney General may bring suit against a noncompliant sheriff.

Verified against the primary source as of 2026-07-25 — status can change with a single court ruling. Official source.

What’s happening

SB 8 took effect on January 1, 2026. It requires the sheriff of each Texas county that operates a jail — or that contracts with a private vendor to operate one — to request and enter into a written 287(g) immigration-enforcement agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill as introduced applied only to counties of 100,000 or more residents, but that population limit was removed in the final enrolled version (Gov’t Code §753.051(a)), so the mandate now covers essentially every jail-operating county. Sheriffs have until December 1, 2026 to comply; after that date the Texas Attorney General may sue a sheriff who has not requested or entered into an agreement. The law also creates a state grant program, administered by the Texas Comptroller, to help cover implementation costs, with grant amounts based on county population.

Who it affects

Affects people booked into county jails across Texas. Once a county’s sheriff has a 287(g) agreement, designated jail or sheriff’s-office personnel are authorized to perform certain federal immigration functions — such as identifying and processing people for possible immigration holds (detainers) — under ICE supervision. It is a state mandate directed at sheriffs; it does not change federal immigration eligibility rules or who may be arrested under state law.

How it got here

  1. Apr 1, 2025 The Texas Senate passed SB 8 on third reading.
  2. Jun 1, 2025 Final legislative passage: both chambers adopted the conference committee report, with the House adopting it on June 1.
  3. Jun 20, 2025 Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 8 into law.
  4. Jan 1, 2026 SB 8 took effect.

What to watch next

December 1, 2026 — statutory deadline for every covered sheriff to comply with the 287(g) agreement requirement; after that date the Texas Attorney General may bring suit against a noncompliant sheriff.

Official sources

This page is general information about ongoing litigation, not legal advice. A case’s status can change with a single ruling, and outcomes can turn on facts specific to each person. For advice on a specific situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.