The United States has deployed approximately 200 Marines to Florida to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in its immigration enforcement efforts, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). The move is part of a broader Trump administration initiative to intensify immigration operations, particularly in Democratic-controlled cities.
The Marines, from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina, will assist ICE by providing administrative and logistical support. USNORTHCOM clarified that the personnel will not be involved in direct enforcement activities or come into contact with individuals in ICE custody. Their responsibilities will be limited to back-end operations such as processing, transportation support, and communications coordination.
This deployment to Florida represents the first phase of USNORTHCOM’s broader assistance plan, which is expected to extend to other states including Louisiana and Texas in the coming weeks.
The announcement follows a period of unrest in Los Angeles, where recent ICE immigration raids sparked violent clashes between federal agents and protesters. In response to the escalating tensions, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. Their involvement in detaining protesters and civilians drew sharp criticism from local officials and civil rights advocates.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal military deployment, accusing the administration of the “illegal militarization” of the city. Despite the backlash, President Trump has since ordered ICE to expand immigration enforcement actions to other Democratic-led cities, raising concerns of further unrest.
The latest Marine deployment signals a significant federal escalation in immigration enforcement operations, with a growing role for military logistics in domestic immigration policy.
