JULY 3, 2025 – Approximately 200 Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, are conducting a movement to Florida, to augment U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) interior immigration enforcement mission with critical administrative and logistical capabilities at locations as directed by ICE.
Responding to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) request received May 9, 2025, the Secretary of Defense approved a mobilization of up to 700 Active, National Guard, and Reserve component forces operating under Title 10 authority.
These Marines are the first wave of U.S. Northern Command’s (USNORTHCOM’s) support of this ICE mission. Other support locations will include Louisiana and Texas. Service 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.
The Department of Defense announced a change in the duty status of military personnel supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in its immigration law enforcement mission. Personnel will transition from Title 10 to Title 32 status. This change affects the 1,200 service members currently authorized for the mission and includes an additional 500 newly authorized personnel, bringing the total DoD support to approximately 1,700 troops.
Through active planning and collaboration with our ICE partners, the Department determined that specific operational needs may require direct interaction with individuals in ICE custody. This led to a reevaluation of DoD military personnel duty status, with Title 32 status providing the necessary authorities for these tasks.
As part of this transition, Title 10 personnel from the Marine Corps and Naval Reserve who have been providing invaluable support will return to their home stations. National Guard members, in a Title 32 status, will seamlessly take over these vital mission roles to ensure continuity of support and operations.
This ongoing support, provided in response to a May 9, 2025 request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security includes case management, transportation and logistical support, and clerical support for the in- and out-processing of illegal aliens at ICE detention facilities.
By providing these crucial services, DoD military personnel directly enable ICE to dedicate more trained agents to core law enforcement activities, significantly enhancing overall effectiveness. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the Department of Homeland Security in its mission to maintain the security of our borders and enforce immigration laws.