The Pentagon has mobilized hundreds of military personnel to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced Tuesday.

Last week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized the mobilization of up to 700 military personnel to support ICE operations in Florida, Louisiana and Texas, according to Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman. The decision comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s heightened efforts to enforce immigration laws and improve interagency collaboration.

“These service members, drawn from all components and operating in a Title 10 duty status, will provide logistical support, and conduct administrative and clerical functions associated with the processing of illegal aliens at ICE detention facilities. They will not directly participate in law enforcement activities,” Parnell said.

As of 2022, Florida and Texas were thought to have 1.6 million and 1.2 million illegal immigrants, respectively, while Louisiana was believed to be home to approximately 65,000, according to the Pew Research Center.

“In maintaining the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States, the Department of Defense works alongside with the Department of Homeland Security, the lead federal agency in this critical effort,” Parnell said. “This support provides critical resources to support ICE’s mission, freeing up law enforcement personnel to focus on law enforcement tasks and missions. The Department remains committed to securing 100% operational control of the border.”

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has expanded the role of the DOD in immigration enforcement, designating “National Defense Areas” across the southern border where troops can temporarily detain trespassers. Furthermore, in response to violent protests in Los Angeles against ICE raids in the city, Trump deployed 2,000 National Guardsmen and hundreds of Marines to help restore order, much to the dismay of state and local officials.

Illegal border crossings have plummeted since Trump took office in January. Border crossings have dropped by 99% compared to the previous administration, which registered 11 million border encounters, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

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