The U.S. military announced the deployment of 200 Marines to Florida to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with administrative and logistical tasks. These Marines will operate strictly within ICE facilities and will not engage in law enforcement duties or interact directly with detainees.
This deployment is part of a broader initiative by U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) to assist ICE across multiple states. The Marines, from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina, will focus on clerical work and logistics related to processing immigration detainees.
Clear restrictions have been set to ensure the Marines do not participate in custody-related or enforcement activities. Their mission is limited to behind-the-scenes support to help ICE manage interior enforcement operations efficiently.
Earlier in June, President Trump authorized deploying up to 700 Defense Department personnel to aid ICE operations in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. This followed a deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles to support ICE during protests against deportation efforts.
The Los Angeles deployment faced criticism from California leaders such as Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. They argued that military involvement in civil matters could heighten tensions and worsen the situation.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that all military personnel assigned to these missions operate under Title 10 status, which prohibits them from direct law enforcement actions. Their roles are strictly administrative and supportive.
This military support comes amid signs of economic strength in the U.S. In June, the country added 147,000 jobs—more than expected—and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%. President Trump praised these figures, attributing growth to his administration’s policies on trade, taxes, and deregulation.
Overall, the deployment of Marines to assist ICE underscores the government’s efforts to enhance immigration enforcement capacity while maintaining clear boundaries to prevent military involvement in law enforcement activities.
