Gov. Rhoden Announces Expansion and Results of ICE Partnerships

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

Gov. Rhoden Announces Expansion and Results of ICE Partnerships

PIERRE, S.D. - Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that the Rhoden Administration is expanding on its partnerships with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of the public safety efforts announced last July.

"My administration's number one responsibility is keeping South Dakotans safe," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "We've been working hard to get illegal alien criminals off our streets, out of our prison, and out of our country. I am proud of the results our officers have delivered - they are keeping our state strong, safe, and free for generations to come - and now there's more work to do."

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has enrolled more troopers in ICE training, increasing the number of troopers trained under 287(g) agreements eight-fold. Originally, five troopers were trained in July 2025, and 17 troopers are currently trained. With this third addition in force, that number will increase to 41 troopers.

"This partnership is showing strong results" said Secretary of Public Safety Bob Perry. "In the last twelve months the SD Highway Patrol has conducted 150 arrests of illegal alien criminals."

The expansion is also supported by the Department of Homeland Security. South Dakota is anticipating a federal reimbursement of approximately $165,000.

The Department of Corrections (DOC) and the South Dakota National Guard (SDNG) have continued to work with ICE as part of two other components of this state-federal partnership.

DOC submitted additional inmates for parole to federal custody and deportation. So far, 24 inmates have been paroled directly to ICE custody. DOC and ICE have identified an additional 14 inmates that will be considered for federal custody and deportation. Getting removable illegal aliens out of the state prison system saves South Dakota taxpayers an average of $34,039.33 in annual cost per inmate. DOC is also implementing enhanced training of officers to serve warrants and assist ICE with deportations.

The SDNG deployment of seven guardsmen has continued since last fall. These active-duty soldiers in Sioux Falls and Rapid City are helping process deportations, acting as a force multiplier for South Dakota ICE officers. Through May 15, the SDNG has assisted directly in processing 664 illegal immigrants who have been deported out of South Dakota.

Governor Rhoden previously activated the SDNG and sent letters of intent to establish the 287(g) agreements. You can find the DOC letter here and the SDHP letter here.

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