At least six Republican-led states have activated or authorized National Guard troops to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in administrative and logistical roles, as part of a multi-state mission that could involve up to 1,700 Guard members through mid-November.
The newest activation came on August 12, when Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced she had directed 20 Iowa National Guard soldiers to begin a Title 32 mission with ICE on September 8. The Guard members will provide administrative and logistical support to Iowa-based ICE officials through November 15, under an authorization from the Secretary of Defense.
“By providing administrative and logistical support, the Iowa National Guard will free up local ICE officials to continue their work outside the office to enforce the law and keep our state safe,” Reynolds said in a statement.
Why It Matters
The National Guard Bureau granted governors in 20 GOP-led states authority to deploy their forces under Title 32 orders to support ICE operations inside their own states. The work is intended to backfill clerical, transportation, and other non-law-enforcement duties, freeing ICE officers for field enforcement.
So far, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Dakota have moved forward. Three others—Nevada, Louisiana, and South Carolina—are in the process of approving deployments. The remaining 11 states on the authorization list have yet to commit.
What To Know
Florida has already put 25 Guard members on duty across nine ICE offices and said more are expected. In Idaho, up to 14 Guard members have been approved for administrative work. Tennessee has mobilized Guard personnel for detention facility support. Virginia’s troops are in training and expected to deploy in early September. South Dakota has included ICE support in “Operation Prairie Thunder,” assigning Guard members to processing roles.
Nevada has said authorization is “in process.” Louisiana plans to send about 70 Guard members by month’s end. South Carolina has a request for about 40 under review.
The other states with authorization but no activation are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming. Vermont has said it will not participate.
This state-led mobilization is separate from a federal Title 10 deployment announced by the Pentagon in June. That mission, described by Defense Department officials as part of a broader effort to “maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States,” authorizes up to 700 active-duty troops to support ICE in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.
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Those service members, drawn from multiple branches, are assigned to ICE detention facilities and prohibited from direct contact with detainees or law enforcement duties.
The deployments come amid heightened immigration enforcement activity and protests across several states. In mid-June, President Donald Trump also ordered thousands of National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to guard federal facilities during demonstrations against ICE deportations.
Texas, which has signed a separate agreement with ICE delegating certain immigration enforcement functions to trained Guard members, has defended the deployments as necessary to “uphold law and order.” Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have accused the administration of politicizing the Guard.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the mission “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.”
What People Are Saying
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said in a statement on Tuesday: “Just as we supported Texas when the Biden Administration left them to defend the border, Iowa will continue to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws — this time, by working with the Trump Administration to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in our state.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little said in a statement on August 7: “As Commander in Chief, I am proud that the Idaho National Guard always stands ready to support our federal partners in any capacity that strengthens public safety and national security. Our guardsmen are trained, disciplined, and committed to serving the people of Idaho and the nation.”
Elizabeth Ray, a spokesperson for Nevada’s governor’s office, told The Nevada Independent: “Governor Lombardo is in the process of authorizing the Nevada National Guard to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a temporary, administrative capacity.”
What Happens Next
The Title 32 authorizations expire November 15, but Pentagon officials have left open the possibility of extensions if ICE requests continued support.
