200 Marines Deployed to Florida in Support Role for ICE Operations

The U.S. Northern Command has deployed approximately 200 Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, to Florida to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move is part of a broader authorization to mobilize up to 700 Department of Defense personnel across Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.

The deployed Marines are strictly confined to non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities—covering tasks such as case management, data entry into DHS systems, vehicle maintenance, and general administrative and logistical support. They are explicitly barred from interacting with detainees or participating in custody processes.

This deployment marks the “first wave” of military support for ICE from USNORTHCOM. It follows earlier deployments of hundreds of troops — including 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guardsmen — to Los Angeles amid protests sparked by immigration enforcement actions.

Moreover, the Florida mission aligns with the opening of the newly constructed ICE detention center in the Everglades, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Critics have raised concerns over alleged human rights violations and restricted access for elected officials.