The U.S. military announced on Thursday that 200 Marines will be deployed to Florida to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with logistical and administrative tasks. This deployment marks the initial phase of U.S. Northern Command’s support for ICE’s enforcement operations, according to the official statement.
The Marines will serve in a strictly supportive capacity and are not authorized to engage in law enforcement activities. Their presence is intended to provide operational reinforcement within ICE facilities, ensuring the agency’s mission runs smoothly.
“Service members participating in this mission will perform strictly non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities,” U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) stated.
Earlier in June, President Donald Trump ordered 700 Marines to Los Angeles to help stabilize tensions during protests against ICE deportation actions.
Criticism soon followed, with concerns raised about how federal authorities handled the raids and the treatment of migrants, despite the operations being conducted under legal federal authority.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly opposed the military deployments, arguing they would only inflame tensions and undermine trust between communities and law enforcement.
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Military officials reiterated that the Marines’ responsibilities would remain limited to behind-the-scenes support roles and that no direct involvement with detainees would occur.
“Approximately 200 Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, are conducting a movement to Florida to augment U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) interior immigration enforcement mission with critical administrative and logistical capabilities at locations as directed by ICE,” USNORTHCOM said.
Strict protocols will be in place to ensure Marines do not interact with individuals in ICE custody or participate in any aspect of the detention process.
The statement is believed to signal the broader deployment of personnel not only to Florida but also to Texas and Louisiana, reflecting a larger effort to support ICE enforcement across the region.
In June, the Pentagon approved up to 700 Defense Department personnel to aid ICE’s operational needs across three states.
“These service members, drawn from all components and operating in a Title 10 duty status, will provide logistical support, and conduct administrative and clerical functions associated with the processing of illegal aliens at ICE detention facilities,” said Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on June 17.
“They will not directly participate in law enforcement activities,” Parnell emphasized.
Meanwhile, the U.S. job market continues to show strong momentum, defying widespread media speculation about economic instability or negative impacts from Trump’s tariffs.
