Cheatham County deputies make 287(g)-related arrests in Kingston Springs

The Cheatham County Sheriff’s Department arrested a man and woman Wednesday afternoon in Kingston Springs following a traffic stop that brought the department’s 287(g)-trained deputies to the scene.

According to bodycam footage obtained by the Gazette, Deputy Macayla Clifford stopped the vehicle on West Kingston Springs Road after determining that its window tint violated Tennessee law. The male driver presented a Mexican passport but was unable to produce a valid Tennessee driver's license, according to the footage.

Clifford then contacted the department’s 287(g)-trained deputies, and two deputies responded to the scene, according to an eyewitness account.

Approximately an hour later, both individuals were arrested and booked into the Cheatham County Jail on immigration holds, according to information obtained by the Gazette. Neither individual had prior convictions in Cheatham County, according to information obtained by the Gazette.

The arrests are believed to be the first 287(g)-related arrests in Kingston Springs since the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Department entered into its 287(g) agreement with federal immigration authorities in June.

What is the 287(g) program?

Tennessee legislation enacted in 2026 requires each county sheriff to enter into an agreement under an available federal 287(g) program by Jan. 1, 2027. The law allows sheriffs to choose among available models, including the Jail Enforcement, Warrant Service Officer and Task Force models. 

Counties in Tennessee that fail to sign a 287(g) agreement face a loss of state funding and grants. Currently, 85 out of Tennessee’s 95 counties have officially entered into a partnership. 

Unlike most Tennessee counties that opted for the jail-only model, Cheatham County signed onto the Task Force model. This specific model empowers designated, ICE-trained field deputies to enforce immigration laws while conducting routine police work on the streets, including making arrests during standard traffic stops.

Neighboring counties Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson and Williamson all signed onto the 287(g) program, but only operate strictly inside of local jails rather than on the streets. Most counties in Tennessee have chosen to enforce the program through their jails, while only one-third – including Cheatham – are operating on the streets.  

The jail-based models focus on undocumented individuals accused of crimes. The street-level Task Force model operates differently. Enforcement begins during routine, everyday community interactions, such as a traffic stop.

The Trump administration has expanded the 287(g) program. On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to pursue 287(g) agreements with state and local law-enforcement agencies.

The street-level "Task Force Model" used by CCSD was originally discontinued in 2012 under the Obama administration. The Trump administration revived it, pushing for local law enforcement to move out of the jails and onto the streets.

Since Trump's directive took effect, ICE enforcement activity in the state has included more than 1,300 arrests by 287(g) partners. 

The state has also established a $5 million Immigration Enforcement Grant Program to help participating agencies cover training, operational expenses and equipment. 

The federal government has also implemented "performance awards.” Participating agencies receive quarterly monetary payouts based on "successful location" of undocumented individuals:

• 90% to 100% Success Rate: The agency receives $1,000 per quarter for every eligible, 287(g)-trained officer on their force.
• 80% to 89% Success Rate: The agency receives $750 per quarter per trained officer.
• 70% to 79% Success Rate: The agency receives $500 per quarter per trained officer.