US military sends 200 Marines to support immigration enforcement in Florida

The US military will send 200 Marines to Florida to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with administrative and logistical work. On Thursday, the military made the announcement. This is the first group of military personnel to assist ICE under the US Northern Command’s plan.

According to US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), the Marines will only carry out non-law enforcement duties inside ICE facilities. "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 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) interior immigration enforcement mission with critical administrative and logistical capabilities at locations as directed by ICE," the command said in a statement.

"Responding to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) request received May 9, 2025, the Secretary of Defence approved a mobilisation of up to 700 Active, Guard, and Reserve component forces operating under Title 10 authority," it added.

PAPERWORK, SUPPLIES, AND SUPPORT TASKS

Their jobs will focus on paperwork, organising supplies, and other support tasks. "Service members participating in this mission will perform strictly non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities. Their roles will focus on administrative and logistical tasks, and they are specifically prohibited from direct contact with individuals in ICE custody or involvement in any aspect of the custody chain," the command said.

This move comes as the first group of immigration detainees arrived at a new detention centre in Florida's Everglades. The centre has been named "Alligator Alcatraz" by President Donald Trump and other officials because of its remote location and strict security.

NEW DETENTION CENTRE IN FLORIDA

The new facility can initially house roughly 3,000 detainees and is situated on land close to a training airport. Built in just eight days, it is heavily guarded by about 400 security personnel, 28,000 feet of barbed wire, and more than 200 cameras.

This centre will receive immigrants who are apprehended by Florida police under the federal 287(g) program. Under this ICE program, local officers can question and detain immigrants for potential deportation.

The Pentagon authorised the deployment of up to 700 military personnel to assist with ICE operations in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas last month. Earlier in June, President Trump dispatched 700 Marines to Los Angeles to support immigration officers conducting raids to apprehend US citizens.

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