200 Marines head to Florida in support of ICE as military takes stronger stance on immigration

U S Northern Command USNORTHCOM is sending approximately Marines to Florida in sponsorship of the U S Immigration and Customs Enforcement s ICE interior immigration enforcement mission Marines attached to Marine Wing Aid Squadron and Marine Corps Air Station New River North Carolina are responding as part of a request by the Department of Homeland Prevention DHS Secretary of Defense Sean Parnell requested backup in sponsorship of U S Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida Louisiana and Texas with critical administrative and logistical capabilities at locations as directed by ICE PENTAGON RELEASES NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS FROM DEFENSE MISSION DEPLOYMENT IN LA AS WILDFIRE THREATS MOUNTParnell approved a mobilization of in all to include advancing National Guard and reserve forces The Marines are in the first wave of USNORTHCOM s aid Facility 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 according to a declaration disclosed by USNORTHCOM Parnell stated in his declaration that the backing will relieve certain of the unnecessary strain on law enforcement TROOPS AT THE MARGIN HOW THE MILITARY S ROLE IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT HAS EXPLODED UNDER TRUMP This help provides critical materials to sponsorship ICE's mission freeing up law enforcement personnel to focus on law enforcement tasks and missions The Department remains committed to securing operational control of the frontier the declaration announced The U S Air Force and Navy have also taken over positions on federal land along the southern demarcation under a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth The area a roughly -mile stretch located in Texas Cameron and Hidalgo counties is being transferred to Air Force control and will fall under the jurisdiction of Joint Base San Antonio It will be managed as part of a newly established National Defense Area NDA In June a battalion of U S Marines mobilized to Los Angeles in response to anti-immigration enforcement riots causing an outcry from liberal critics such as California Gov Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration The governor s office both downplayed the troop movement and called it absolutely uncalled for The moves are part of a broader mission managed by the Joint Task Force Southern Edge JTF-SB a joint effort between the Air Force and U S Northern Command to consolidate and strengthen military presence along the margin