200 Marines deployed to Florida to support ICE immigration enforcement
The U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) has deployed approximately 200 Marines to Florida to support the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) interior immigration enforcement mission. These Marines, from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 and Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, are responding to a request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Secretary of Defense Sean Parnell approved the mobilization of 700 troops, including active, National Guard, and reserve forces. The Marines are part of the initial wave of support provided by USNORTHCOM.
The primary focus of the Marines’ mission is to assist ICE with critical administrative and logistical tasks at designated locations in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. They are strictly prohibited from direct contact with individuals in ICE custody or any involvement in the custody chain.
“This support will alleviate some of the burden on law enforcement personnel,” stated Parnell. The deployment of military resources allows ICE to concentrate on law enforcement duties while ensuring operational control of the border.
In addition to the Marine deployment, the U.S. Air Force and Navy have assumed positions on federal land along the southern border under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A 250-mile stretch in Texas’ Cameron and Hidalgo counties has been transferred to Air Force control and falls under the management of Joint Base San Antonio as a newly established National Defense Area (NDA).
This deployment comes on the heels of a battalion of 500 U.S. Marines being mobilized to Los Angeles in response to anti-immigration enforcement riots. The Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB), a collaborative effort between the Air Force and USNORTHCOM, aims to consolidate and strengthen military presence along the border.
The recent troop movements have stirred controversy, with California Governor Gavin Newsom criticizing the Trump administration’s actions and filing a lawsuit against the deployment of military personnel. However, these deployments are part of a broader strategy to enhance border security and support ICE’s mission.
The integration of military forces into immigration enforcement efforts underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining border security and upholding immigration laws. The collaborative efforts between various branches of the military and law enforcement agencies demonstrate a unified approach to addressing immigration challenges.
