The U.S. military said Thursday that 200 Marines will be sent to Florida to provide logistical and administrative support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Marines are the first step in U.S. Northern Command’s support of ICE’s enforcement efforts, the statement said.
“Service members participating in this mission will perform strictly non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities,” USNORTHCOM said in a statement.
In June, 700 Marines were sent by President Donald Trump to calm protests against deportation operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Los Angeles.
Critics voiced concerns about the way federal authorities treated migrants and the strategies employed by immigration officers during the raids, even though the raids were carried out by a lawful instruction from federal authorities.
Both Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the deployments, claiming they would escalate tensions.
The military stressed that the Marines will only be responsible for administrative and logistical support within ICE facilities.
