Oklahoma school district police chief unknowingly signed ICE immigration enforcement agreement
Jan 20, 2026·Location: Ramona, OK

ICE listed Caney Valley Public Schools Police Department as having a 287(g) agreement after Police Chief Michael Coates mistakenly signed it during a training on sexual assault investigations in March 2026. The agreement was removed from ICE's website days later after journalists inquired. School Superintendent Steven Cantrell confirmed the chief was misled and that the district did not authorize the agreement, stating the school will not participate in any ICE immigration enforcement partnerships.
Sources
- Oklahoma School District at Center of First-in-Nation ICE Agreement Controversy Denies Signing Anything - Oklahoma Watch
oklahomawatch.org·Mar 19, 2026·archived copy
- Caney Valley Public Schools denies signing first-in-nation ICE agreement
- Oklahoma school district hoped for training, almost agreed to a partnership with ICE instead
publicradiotulsa.org·Mar 23, 2026·archived copy
- lipstickalley.com
- The Un-Caney Valley
maxwellcommons.substack.com·Mar 23, 2026·archived copy
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