The U.S. Northern Command has deployed about 200 Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, to Florida to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This move is part of a broader authorization to mobilize up to 700 Department of Defense personnel across Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The Marines’ mission is strictly limited to non-law enforcement support inside ICE facilities.
Their duties include case management, entering data into Department of Homeland Security systems, vehicle maintenance, and general administrative or logistical work. They are explicitly prohibited from interacting with detainees or taking part in custody procedures.
The Florida deployment marks the “first wave” of military support for ICE from USNORTHCOM. It follows earlier missions that sent hundreds of troops — including 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guardsmen — to Los Angeles during protests over immigration enforcement.
The mission coincides with the opening of a new ICE detention center in the Florida Everglades, unofficially nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The facility has already drawn criticism from advocacy groups and lawmakers over alleged human rights violations and restricted access for elected officials.
Military officials stress that the Marines’ presence is designed to free up ICE agents for enforcement work by handling administrative and logistical tasks behind the scenes.
Critics argue that using military resources for immigration operations blurs the line between civilian law enforcement and the armed forces. Supporters say it ensures that ICE can operate more efficiently amid rising caseloads.
As the first rotation of Marines settles into their posts, more deployments could follow across the three authorized states, signaling a deeper military role in immigration-related support operations.
