Marines Head to Florida to Back ICE Efforts
Trump Ramps Up Immigration Enforcement with Military Support
The U.S. military is sending 200 Marines to Florida to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with behind-the-scenes work, like paperwork and logistics. This move, announced Thursday, is the first step in a bigger plan by U.S. Northern Command to support ICE’s mission. It’s part of President Trump’s push to crack down on illegal immigration and speed up deportations across the country.
The Marines won’t be dealing with detainees or doing any law enforcement tasks. “Service members will perform strictly non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities,” USNORTHCOM said in a statement. That means they’ll stick to things like organizing supplies or handling administrative tasks, and they’re explicitly barred from any direct contact with people in ICE custody. This keeps the military’s role limited to support, not enforcement.
Last month, the Pentagon gave the green light to send up to 700 Department of Defense personnel to help ICE in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The 200 Marines in Florida are just the start. This follows Trump’s broader strategy to beef up immigration enforcement, which has already seen thousands of troops deployed to border states. For example, about 4,000 National Guard personnel are currently stationed across southern states to assist with border security and immigration operations, according to Customs and Border Protection.
Trump’s administration has been clear about wanting tougher immigration policies. Earlier this year, he authorized military support to protect federal agents during immigration raids, though specific claims about 700 Marines sent to Los Angeles in June haven’t been fully backed up by official reports. Still, the focus on using military resources to support ICE shows a commitment to prioritizing deportations and tightening control over illegal immigration.
This latest deployment is a sign of more to come as the Trump administration doubles down on its immigration goals. By bringing in military support, the government aims to make ICE’s operations smoother and faster, especially in states like Florida that are key hubs for immigration enforcement. The move reflects a belief that stronger enforcement is critical to national security and upholding immigration laws.