Pentagon Mobilizes Troops for ICE Support
The Pentagon has called up several hundred service members to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, according to a recent announcement from the Department of Defense.
Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses authorized the deployment of up to 700 service personnel to help with ICE’s activities in states like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. This decision follows the Trump administration’s intensified focus on enforcing immigration laws and enhancing coordination among various government agencies, as noted by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
“These service members will come from different branches and will operate under Title 10 status. Their role involves providing logistics support and managing administrative functions related to individuals held in ICE detention, but they won’t engage directly in law enforcement activities,” Parnell explained.
As of 2022, Florida was estimated to have around 1.6 million undocumented immigrants, and Texas roughly 1.2 million, while Louisiana had about 65,000.
“The Department of Defense collaborates with the Department of Homeland Security, which is the main federal entity involved in maintaining the country’s sovereignty and security. This assistance aims to support ICE’s missions and free up law enforcement personnel for other tasks,” Parnell added, emphasizing the department’s commitment to managing border operations effectively.
Since President Donald Trump was inaugurated, the role of the DOD in immigration enforcement has grown, with initiatives that include designating parts of the southern border as a “National Defense Region” where military personnel can temporarily detain individuals crossing illegally. Additionally, he has called for increasing the presence of security personnel, including the National Guard and Marines, in areas facing violent protests against ICE activities.
Interestingly, since Trump assumed office, illegal border crossings have dramatically decreased, reportedly by as much as 99% compared to past administrations that recorded around 11 million encounters at the border, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
