The U.S. military has deployed about 200 Marines to Florida to provide administrative and logistical support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an uncommon collaboration that has drawn national attention.
The Department of Defense says the Marines will not perform law enforcement duties. Their role is limited to communications, infrastructure support, and supply coordination inside ICE facilities, intended to ease operational strain as detention centers face heavy demand. Similar logistical support is being directed to parts of Louisiana and Texas.
Even with those limits, the presence of uniformed military personnel in immigration facilities has raised concern among civil rights groups and some lawmakers, who worry about blurring the line between military and civilian functions. Supporters argue the move simply improves efficiency without changing enforcement policy.
Both the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security say the deployment is temporary and will operate under strict oversight to remain compliant with U.S. law.
