Trump Administration Sends 200 Marines to Florida to Support ICE Operations
The Trump administration is deploying approximately 200 U.S. Marines to Florida to provide administrative and logistical support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during their operations targeting immigrants.
The Trump administration has announced plans to send around 200 Marines to Florida to assist ICE in its immigration enforcement efforts. The Marines will provide logistical and administrative support but will not engage in direct law enforcement activities.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested the deployment, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the assignment of nearly 700 troops. U.S. officials have indicated that additional reinforcements may also be sent to Louisiana and Texas.
In a statement, U.S. Northern Command clarified that the personnel assigned to this mission will not act as law enforcement officers. Their roles will focus on administrative and logistical tasks, and they will not have direct contact with individuals detained by ICE or be involved in any part of the detention process.
Earlier this week, President Trump visited a new immigrant detention center in Florida, colloquially known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” which has the capacity to hold up to 1,000 people.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has deployed military personnel to support ICE operations. Last year, the administration sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, California, to assist with ICE raids.
California officials criticized the move, arguing that it escalated protests that local law enforcement could have handled. The Trump administration defended the deployment, stating that it was necessary to quell unrest and protect federal property and personnel.
