Pentagon deploys 200 Marines to Florida ICE sites

The U.S. military has deployed approximately 200 Marines to Florida to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with non-enforcement duties. The move is part of a broader mobilization of up to 700 Department of Defense personnel authorized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to support ICE operations in Florida, Louisiana and Texas.

The Marines are part of the first wave of this support, which includes active duty, reserve and National Guard troops. The deployment responds to a request from the Department of Homeland Security.

What duties will the Marines perform?

U.S. Northern Command says it will assign service members to handle administrative and logistical tasks inside ICE facilities. The military prohibits them from having direct contact with detainees or taking part in the custody process. The Pentagon emphasized that troops are not conducting law enforcement activities.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said the broader support would allow ICE officers to refocus on enforcement duties by relieving them of backend tasks.

“This support provides critical resources to support ICE’s mission, freeing up law enforcement personnel to focus on law enforcement tasks and missions,” Parnell said.

Is this part of a larger military role in immigration?

Yes. The Florida deployment follows a broader trend under the Trump administration of increased military involvement in immigration enforcement support. In June, 500 Marines were sent to Los Angeles during anti-ICE protests.

Separately, officials designated a 250-mile stretch of the Texas-Mexico border as a National Defense Area and assigned the Air Force to oversee logistics and coordination from Joint Base San Antonio.