In a significant development, it is anticipated that approximately 2000 National Guard units from several states will be mobilized to provide aid to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in managing detention facilities, as per trusted sources familiar with the matter and a government official. The timing of this mobilization is yet to be confirmed, however it could unfold sometime this week.
According to both sources, the National Guard will be enlisted under the Title 32 provision, thereby falling under the jurisdiction of the respective state governors. This allocation precludes them from the Posse Comitatus Act, legislation that forbids the deployment of military forces for domestic law enforcement duties.
There has been a significant surge in immigration arrests nationwide under the Trump administration, leading to a corresponding swell in individuals under ICE custody. As per the most recent statistics, 57,000 people are reported to be in ICE custody as of Tuesday.
Senior officials from the Trump administration are apparently readying to augment detention space throughout the country in the forthcoming weeks. This follows the receipt of an unprecedented amount of funding from Congress to address the immigration issue.
As per the U.S. official, the probable National Guard mobilization could involve troops from as many as 20 states. The designated tasks for these units would include responsibilities like collecting fingerprints and mouth swab samples of detainees.
The National Guard forces have predominantly been tasked with providing administrative support to ICE. However, the U.S. official suggested that ICE has signaled the requirement for auxiliary aid in various other aspects.
A defense official insisted that the Pentagon refrains from making forward-looking statements about potential operations or operational demands. Yet, it remains on standby, prepared to back their partners from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in implementing government directives and safeguarding the sovereignty of U.S. territory.
In a request for comment, the Department of Homeland Security did not provide a response. Nonetheless, current operations seem to align with a previous plea from DHS to the Department of Defense. This request was for multiple thousands of National Guard personnel to assist with procedures including processing, transportation, and detention support.
According to the DHS request, up to 2500 National Guard personnel would be needed to ensure security at various detention facility operations, which could include tasks such as meal distribution, processing, and emergency response.
A Senate staff member noted the significance of the expected move to place 2000 National Guard troops on Title 32 status. This maneuver is a likely indication of the government moving towards fulfilling DHS’s full request for additional Guard units to help with immigration enforcement nationwide.
ICE is gearing up to receive an unparalleled boost in funding to aid immigration control efforts. However, Homeland Security experts, both current and retired, suggest that the recruitment and training process for new ICE units could extends over several weeks or months. Therefore, temporary outside assistance could be required in the interim period.
A substantial mobilization of National Guard personnel, amounting to 4000 units, was reported last month in Los Angeles to support ICE operations. However, it is noted that half of these units have since been discharged from the mission.
The Florida National Guard was recently mobilized for providing security at a new detention center located in the Everglades region. Despite this, a spokesperson from the Florida Guard clarified that they were not engaged in operative detention duties.
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