Governor Larry Rhoden and Attorney General Marty Jackley are directing agencies to enter into agreements with Homeland Security on immigration enforcement.
The move comes after each official visited the U.S. Southern Border.
Both officials want the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation to obtain 287(g) program authority, which allows state and local law enforcement agencies to perform specific immigration enforcement duties.
ICE is a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is led by former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
Gov. Rhoden visited South Dakota National Guard troops in Eagle Pass, Texas, Tuesday to support troops and get a firsthand look at efforts to curb border crossings.
"This agreement will enable the Highway Patrol to assist in the identification and apprehension of illegal aliens who may pose a risk to public safety in South Dakota," Rhoden said in a press release.
Attorney General Jackley visited the border in Yuma, Arizona, on Wednesday, along with a group of Republican state attorneys general.
During an event next to the border, Jackley says DCI agents will focus on cases involving violent criminals and drug dealers with a South Dakota connection.
“So that our DCI agents can force multiply with federal authorities when it comes to enforcement of our immigration laws and addressing the violent crime and drug dealers coming into South Dakota that are not here legally.”
Earlier this month, ICE agents arrested eight individuals in Madison. They were all charged with using fake identification.
On July 1, a South Dakota law banning sanctuary cities will go into effect.
