Title: National Guard to Mobilize Across 19 States for Immigration Enforcement Support
Up to 1,700 members of the National Guard are preparing to deploy across 19 states in the coming weeks under a coordinated plan with the Department of Homeland Security, as confirmed by Pentagon officials. This initiative is part of President Trump’s comprehensive strategy targeting illegal immigration and related criminal activities.
Documents reveal plans for activations in states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming, with operations set to commence from August through mid-November. Texas is expected to have the largest contingent of National Guard specialists.
These troops will act as a supportive element within a broader federal operational framework, serving as both a reinforcement to agencies and a deterrent against illegal activities, according to a U.S. Defense official. Their responsibilities will include managing cases, assisting with transportation, logistical tasks, and clerical work related to processing undocumented migrants at facilities.
President Trump recently communicated to federal agents and National Guard members during a patrol briefing in Washington, D.C., that the mission would expand to additional regions. He mentioned, "We’re going to make it safe, and we’re going to then go on to other places,” highlighting a focus on cities like Chicago and New York as potential next targets for similar operations.
A senior defense official remarked that while specifics on future operations remain under evaluation, the department is actively collaborating with other agencies to ensure federal assets and personnel are safeguarded. So far, fewer than 2% of the authorized troops have been deployed, yet intensified missions under governor coordination are anticipated to grow shortly, including a deployment in Virginia where 60 guardsmen will start training on August 25.
The Virginia National Guard confirmed that while their personnel will directly assist ICE, they will not engage in law enforcement actions or make arrests. These guardsmen will operate under ICE’s leadership but will remain under the control of the state governor.
By mobilizing National Guard units, the U.S. military is poised to play a more substantial role in supporting federal immigration enforcement operations, aligning with the Trump administration’s agenda to carry out mass deportations of individuals unlawfully residing in the country.
Though the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 imposes restrictions on military involvement in civilian law enforcement, the mobilization of the National Guard is conducted under Title 32, Section 502F, thereby exempting it from those limitations.
Under a request from the DHS in July, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the mobilization of additional federal forces to support ICE operations, transitioning existing authorizations to Title 32 status to facilitate this enhanced level of support.
A defense official noted that while initial requests focused on administrative procedures, ongoing collaborations revealed a need for a different kind of assistance. The Guard members’ roles will include vital tasks such as data collection and identification processes for individuals in ICE custody, with support structured to adhere strictly to legal parameters.
Most deployments are still in the planning stages with DHS and state governors; however, initial operations are expected to roll out in states like Idaho and Iowa by early September. The command structure under Title 32 allows state governors to dictate the timelines for their respective troops, with some states opting out of participation, as seen with Vermont’s refusal to engage.
As nearly 2,000 National Guard personnel from Washington, D.C., and neighboring states have already been designated to support local law enforcement, their roles include overseeing security at monuments and public areas, with the aim of deterring crime and maintaining a visible protective presence in the capital.
These National Guard units have also received authorization to bear arms for their operational duties, with the specifics of their deployment governed by their state governors.
While the mobilizations serve the broader objective of enforcing immigration protocols under President Trump’s directive, the Washington, D.C., and state missions are being viewed as separate endeavors. Trump emphasized the need for sustained efforts, stating, “The big question is how long do we stay? Because if we stay, we want to ensure it doesn’t come back."
The upcoming deployments align with efforts to enhance the city’s aesthetics in preparation for the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, yet President Trump has suggested a potential continuation of the National Guard’s presence in D.C. and beyond. “We’re not playing games. We’re going to make it safe and we’re going to then go on to other places,” he asserted during a recent engagement with National Guardsmen and federal law enforcement.
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