ICE plans liability insurance for local police

ICE unveiled a plan to subsidize liability insurance for state and local officers trained to enforce federal immigration laws, aiming to shield them from financial consequences in on-duty misconduct cases. The proposal would require officers to purchase policies covering up to $500,000 in personal liability, with ICE reimbursing about $250 per year, roughly the policy cost. Since Trump returned to the presidency last year, partnerships with local police have grown, and the insurance plan could remove hesitation from departments considering joining ICE's 287(g) program. Critics, including David Bier of the Cato Institute, say the proposal could enable officers to avoid accountability for rights violations. ICE has indicated it may hire a contractor to manage outreach, training, and reimbursements for the 287(g) partnerships, though the timeline and total cost remain unclear. The plan has garnered cross-outlet coverage that emphasizes the broader political and law-enforcement context.