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The U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) dispatched approximately 200 Marines to Florida to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indoor immigration enforcement mission.
The Marine Corps with Marine Support Squadron 272 and Marine Corps Air Station New River are being part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements.
Defense Secretary Sean Parnell requested backups to support U.S. immigration and customs enforcement in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, and had critical administrative and logistical capabilities at locations directed by ICE.
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US Marine Corps Lt. Col. Brandon Mokris, left, from North Carolina, the outgoing commanding officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272, and Lt. Col. Sean O'Rourke, from Minnesota, the oncoming commanding officer of MWSS-272, observe the pass and review during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 18, 2025. (Photo by Cpl. Loriann Dauscher)
Parnell approved the mobilization of 700, including active, National Guard and reserve forces. The Marine Corps is Usnorthcom's first wave of support.
“Services participating in this mission will perform strict non-legal enforcement duties within the ICE facilities. Their role will focus on administrative and logistical tasks and they are particularly prohibited from directly contacting individuals in the ICE custody or participating in any aspect of the chain of custody,” a statement released by Usnorthcom said.
Parnell pointed out in a statement that support will relieve some unnecessary enforcement pressures.
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Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell spoke at a press conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia on March 17, 2025. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“This support provides a mission to support ICE, releasing critical resources for law enforcement personnel to focus on law enforcement tasks and missions. The ministry remains committed to ensuring 100% operational control of the border,” the statement said.
The U.S. Air Force and Navy also took over positions on federal lands on the southern border, under the instructions of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The area is about 250 miles in Cameron and Hidalgo counties, Texas, and is being transferred to Air Force control and will fall under the jurisdiction of the United Base San Antonio. It will be managed as part of the newly formed National Defense Zone (NDA).
A military member watched from the southern border. (Reuters)
In June, 500 U.S. Marines mobilized to Los Angeles on the grounds of anti-immigrant law enforcement riots, which aroused strong protests from liberals such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
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The governor's office downplayed the troops' movement and called it “completely not meeting the requirements.”
These actions are part of a broader mission managed by the Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), a joint effort between the Air Force and the U.S. Northern Command to consolidate and strengthen the military presence along the border.
