The U.S. military announced Thursday that 200 Marines will be sent to Florida to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with administrative and logistical tasks—marking the latest in a series of military deployments supporting federal immigration enforcement.
According to U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), the Marines will perform strictly non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities. This means they will not interact directly with detainees, participate in arrests, or take part in custody transfers.
The Marines, from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, will help process administrative paperwork, handle logistics, and provide operational support to ICE personnel.
Critics at the time—including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass—opposed the deployments, warning they could escalate tensions. Similar concerns have now surfaced in Florida. Read more below