Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, known as the “Untouchables,” are heading to Florida to provide administrative and logistical support to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), marking another step in the expanding collaboration between the military and federal immigration authorities under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Pentagon confirmed the deployment of around 200 Marines from Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which oversees recent troop deployments tied to immigration enforcement, announced the Marines as the “first wave” assisting ICE operations.
Air Force Capt. May Morales, a spokesperson for NORTHCOM, told Military.com that the Marines had not yet reached Florida as of Tuesday, but their arrival was expected shortly. NORTHCOM’s statement emphasized that these service members will not engage in law enforcement activities. Instead, they will handle clerical duties, allowing ICE agents to concentrate on enforcement efforts.
“Service members participating in this mission will perform strictly non-law enforcement duties within ICE facilities,” the statement said. “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.”
Part of a Broader Effort
These 200 Marines are just one part of a larger group of 700 troops—both active-duty and reservists—being deployed to support ICE operations in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, according to Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. The goal is to bolster ICE’s resources by assigning military personnel to tasks like processing detainees.
Since President Trump took office, the military’s involvement in immigration enforcement has expanded significantly. Troops have assisted with deportation flights, border wall maintenance, border patrols, and facility protection during protests in cities like Los Angeles.
The Marine Corps has also collaborated directly with ICE at its own installations. That cooperation recently led to the arrest of a Russian national at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in June, as part of efforts to prevent unauthorized base access by foreign nationals.
ICE Facility in the Everglades
When asked if the Marines would be assigned to the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center in the Everglades—which began accepting detainees the same day as the deployment announcement—Morales directed inquiries to ICE. The agency had not responded to Military.com’s request for comment before publication.