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The administration of President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 700 military personnel from the Department of Defense to Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, as part of a new reinforcement for immigration operations led by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Pentagon reported.
The personnel, who come from various components of the Department of Defense under Title 10, will not have law enforcement duties but will carry out administrative and logistical tasks related to the processing of undocumented immigrants in ICE detention centers.
The goal, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, is to free up police resources for operational tasks and border security.
"The Department of Defense collaborates with the Department of Homeland Security to maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States. This support provides crucial resources to fulfill ICE's mission," Parnell stated in a statement.
In context: migration offensive and protests
The announcement comes amid a wave of nationwide protests against Trump's immigration policies, and after federal courts engaged in a standoff with the White House over the militarization of states like California, whose governor, Gavin Newsom, has accused the government of abuse of power following the unilateral deployment of the National Guard.
In contrast, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, governed by Republican officials aligned with Trump, have facilitated the arrival of military personnel.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott even anticipated the deployment of the National Guard to manage potential protests, which mostly took place peacefully.
More than 26,700 immigrants in the process of deportation
This new operation adds to an aggressive federal deportation campaign that began in February when the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its operational guidance for issuing Notices to Appear (NTA).
Since then, more than 26,700 immigrants have been placed in deportation proceedings after receiving negative responses to their asylum requests, green card applications, or work permits.
USCIS now automatically issues a Notice to Appear (NTA) in those cases, in compliance with Trump's Executive Order to "Protect the American People from Invasion."
The USCIS spokesperson, Matthew Tragesser, explained that up to 1,840 NTAs are being issued per week, including 500 asylum-related cases and 100 related to Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Cuba, one of the most affected countries
The migration offensive has particularly impacted vulnerable communities such as the Cuban one.
At the end of May, ICE carried out the largest deportation flight in five years to Havana, repatriating 130 citizens.
So far in 2025, five flights have been made from the United States and others from countries in the region, totaling 587 returns.
Despite this, the situation is complex: the Cuban regime rejects those deported with criminal records or long stays in the United States.
Currently, more than 42,000 Cubans with final deportation orders remain under supervised release within the country.
Climate of fear in migrant communities
The militarization of operations coincides with an increase in raids at workplaces, schools, and courts, particularly in the southern states.
The result has been a growing fear in migrant communities, where even individuals with ongoing immigration processes or provisional documents such as the I-220A have been detained.
The deployment of military personnel to assist ICE, although limited to office tasks, represents a new phase in the "zero tolerance" immigration policy driven by Trump and directed by his advisor in the White House, Stephen Miller.
According to internal sources, the goal would be to achieve 3,000 daily arrests of undocumented individuals nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deployment of Military Personnel to Support ICE in the U.S.
Why have 700 military personnel been deployed in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana?
The administration of Donald Trump has deployed 700 military personnel to support ICE's immigration operations, freeing up police resources for operational and border security tasks. This measure aims to strengthen the immigration and national security policy of the United States.
What functions will the deployed military perform in support of ICE?
The 700 deployed military personnel will not have public order duties; they will focus on administrative and logistical tasks related to the processing of undocumented immigrants in ICE detention centers. Their aim is to support the operation of these centers and free up ICE personnel for other tasks.
How has Trump's immigration policy affected the Cuban community in the U.S.?
The Cuban community has been one of the most affected by Trump's immigration policy, with mass deportation flights and an increase in deportation orders. In 2025, repatriation flights have taken hundreds of Cubans back to their country, although many still remain under supervised release in the U.S.
What impact has the military deployment had on migrant communities in the U.S.?
The deployment of military personnel has created an atmosphere of fear in migrant communities, due to the increase in raids at workplaces, schools, and courthouses. Even individuals with ongoing immigration processes or temporary documents have been detained, which has heightened anxiety and fear among immigrants.
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