(WKYT) – New data from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy shows monthly ICE arrests in the commonwealth rose from 114 in January of last year to 443 by July of this year.
Local cooperation is co-driving the surge.
The number of Kentucky jails and police departments signing agreements with ICE increased from 11 to 55 over the past year.
Most are “task force” agreements, giving local officers the authority to enforce immigration law during routine traffic stops.
Lexington has no such agreement. Neighboring Scott and Clark counties do.
Recent changes in the federal budget now provide up to $7,500 per ICE trained officer for participating agencies.