US Northern Command announced last week that roughly 200 Marines would be sent to support US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Florida. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested Defense Department support for administrative and logistical efforts involving ongoing enforcement efforts. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved the request.

The Marines are from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. The Marines are the first in a projected total deployment of 700 troops, which will include active duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel.

Service members will not engage in law enforcement activities; they have been restricted to behind-the-scenes support roles, freeing up other ICE personnel to concentrate on those duties. Northern Command stressed that the Marines and others “are specifically prohibited from direct contact with individuals in ICE custody or involvement in any aspect of the custody chain.” Northern Command also noted forthcoming military support for ICE operations in Louisiana and Texas, though whether those areas are included in the current 700-man deployment is unclear.

The move comes on the heels of Northern Command’s creation of........

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