Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant Program

The Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant Program, launched by Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock, was created pursuant to Senate Bill 8, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature and effective January 1, 2026. The program is designed to support county sheriffs in Texas who have entered into immigration law enforcement agreements, specifically those established under the federal 287(g) program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The initiative aligns with the state’s broader commitment to law enforcement collaboration and community safety, reflecting a strategic effort to empower local sheriffs in the execution of immigration enforcement responsibilities. The program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and offers financial assistance to eligible sheriffs to help offset the costs associated with participation in these federal agreements. Eligible counties are those where sheriffs have executed qualifying agreements with ICE. The Comptroller has confirmed that at least 150 of Texas' 254 counties currently meet the eligibility criteria, and more counties may qualify as new agreements are formed. Funding amounts are determined by the population of the county served, using the most recent federal decennial census data. Sheriffs may receive up to $80,000 in counties with populations of 99,999 or fewer; up to $100,000 in counties with populations between 100,000 and 499,999; up to $120,000 in counties between 500,000 and 999,999; and up to $140,000 in counties with populations of 1 million or more. The grants are disbursed beginning in March 2026, with additional funds provided on a rolling basis as new applications are submitted and approved. Allowable uses for the grant funds are strictly defined and must cover costs that are not reimbursed by the federal government. These include compensation for personnel working under the agreement, administrative and reporting functions required by ICE, equipment purchase and maintenance, mandatory training sessions, and expenses related to inmate confinement under the terms of the agreement. All costs must be directly associated with the sheriff's participation in the 287(g) program. To apply, sheriffs must submit an application through the Comptroller’s grants portal. A key requirement is a resolution from the county commissioners court affirming that the county will not reduce local funding for the sheriff’s office as a result of receiving this grant. This stipulation ensures that the state funding is supplemental rather than a substitute for existing county support, maintaining the integrity and sustainability of local law enforcement funding. Additional information, including application materials and technical support, is available via the Texas Comptroller's Economic Development and Grants webpage. Sheriffs or county officials may also contact the Comptroller’s office by email or phone for personalized assistance. The program does not appear to recur on a fixed schedule, but future funding rounds may be anticipated as additional counties become eligible through ICE agreements.