Gov. Larry Rhoden on Monday announced an expansion of state partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing increased arrests and deportations as part of the effort.
Rhoden said the administration has increased participation in the federal 287(g) program, boosting the number of South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers trained to work with ICE from five in 2025 to 17 currently, with plans to reach 41 troopers.
State officials said the Highway Patrol has made 150 arrests of people identified as being in the country illegally over the past year.
The Department of Corrections has also worked with ICE to transfer inmates to federal custody for deportation. Officials said 24 inmates have already been paroled to ICE custody, with another 14 under consideration. The state estimates it saves more than $34,000 annually per inmate removed from the prison system.
The South Dakota National Guard has deployed seven personnel since last fall to assist ICE operations in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Through May 15, they have helped process 664 deportations, according to the governor’s office.
The state expects about $165,000 in federal reimbursement tied to the program.
Rhoden said the effort is part of a broader public safety initiative aimed at removing people identified as criminal offenders from communities, prisons and the country.
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