Image Credit: KnoxSheriff.org & Canva.
Article by David Seal, Tennessee Conservative News –
The Knox County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department will shift from the Jail Enforcement Model of immigration enforcement to the more proactive Task Force Enforcement Model. This model gives local law enforcement broader authority to enforce immigration under the direction and oversight of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).
Sheriff Brent Gibson made the announcement on WATE TV’s Tennessee This Week during his interview on September 6, 2026. When News Anchor Lori Tucker asked about Gibson’s stance on 287(g), he commented in part as follows.
“So now we’re currently under the 287g Jail Model, and I am going to go to the Task Force Model. Now people got a misconception of what the Task Force Model is. Basically, all that does give extra training to your officers. It’s a class that’s done online forty hours to better prepare those officers that come in contact with undocumented immigration violations, and that’s all it is. Now there is some things that we have to do with the federal government to stay compliant with that, and they do provide extra funds for that too.” – said Sheriff Brent Gibson, Knox County
The full interview is linked here.
Under the Jail Enforcement Model, local officers can assist ICE with enforcement if a suspect is already in jail. Under the Task Force Enforcement Model officers can be more proactive with enforcement during their normal officer functions before a suspect is taken to custody and jailed.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement describes the 287(g) Program as follows.
“The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 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. Through the delegation of specified immigration officer duties, the program allows ICE to enhance collaboration with state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of aliens who undermine the safety of our nation’s communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.”
The Knox County Sheriff’s Department officially entered the 287(g) Program on June 8, 2020, under the Jail Enforcement Model. A link to the ICE website that provides a spreadsheet of all participating agencies and their enforcement model is provided here.
In order to participate in the Task Force Enforcement Model, local departments are required to, among other things, execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICE. A copy of the ICE MOU is linked here.
Under the 287(g) Program, local law enforcement agencies are entitled to certain reimbursements as outlined in the one-pager shown below.
A link to the 287(g) Immigration Enforcement Webpage is provided here.
From the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Tip Page, the following information makes it easy to report suspicious activity.
“Got some information you would like to share? You can send us a tip.
Submitting is easier than ever! Here are both options:
- Send an anonymous text. Just text keyword KCSOTIP to 847411, add a space, then type in your tip and hit “send”!
- You can download the KCSO 411 app and remain anonymous. We can even reply! Just be sure to save/record your tip ID. You can use the ID to login to view feedback about your tip.”
To report suspicious activity online, Knox County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office Tip Line and App Page are linked here.
The Tennessee Conservative News will continue to follow this issue and report as new information becomes available.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
