Marines Deploy to Louisiana to Assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Strategic Insights -

Tens of thousands of asylum seekers have been arriving in Louisiana, overwhelming the state's capacity to process them. To address this crisis, up to 200 Marines will be deployed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at its facilities in the state. These troops will perform administrative tasks, provide logistical support, and execute clerical functions associated with the processing of illegal aliens, but will not be conducting law enforcement operations. Louisiana is already housing more immigrant detainees than any other state in the nation except Texas, and ICE is breaking records for the number of people held in custody at one time.

Key Takeaways:

  • Up to 200 Marines will be deployed to assist ICE at its facilities in Louisiana, performing administrative tasks, providing logistical support, and executing clerical functions.
  • The Marines will not be conducting law enforcement operations and will not have direct contact with individuals in ICE custody.
  • Louisiana is currently housing more immigrant detainees than any other state in the nation except Texas.
  • ICE continues to break records for the number of people held in custody at one time, with 57,861 detainees held across the United States and Territories as of June 23.
  • 71.7% of immigrant detainees have no criminal convictions.
  • The Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center in Louisiana was at nearly twice its contracted capacity, with a maximum population of 923 at a facility contracted for 500 detainees.
  • The center has been the subject of numerous complaints over human rights abuses, unsafe and unsanitary conditions, and has been the target of legal action by human rights groups.
  • In response to the growing detainee census, ICE has continued to add new detention facilities to its list, creating a roster of over 201 facilities across the country.

Statistics:

  • Up to 200 Marines will be deployed to assist ICE at its facilities in Louisiana.
  • 57,861 detainees were being held in ICE custody as of June 23.
  • 71.7% of immigrant detainees have no criminal convictions.
  • The Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center in Louisiana had a maximum population of 923 at a facility contracted for 500 detainees.
  • The center is capable of holding 1,094 detainees.
  • The U.S. Northern Command has announced the deployment of up to 700 Active, National Guard, and Reserve component forces to support ICE.

Sources:

  • [1] https://www.northcom.mil/Newsroom/Press-Releases/Article/4235259/usnorthcom-to-provide-dod-support-to-ice/
  • [2] https://lailluminator.com/subscribe
  • [3] https://thecurrentla.com/2025/detention-center-alley-louisiana-rises-to-prominence-as-hub-for-immigrant-detention/
  • [4] https://tracreports.org/reports/762/
  • [5] https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/25995091-20200812-crcl-rec-memo-to-ice-pine-prairie-redacted-508/?embed=1
  • [6] https://rfkhumanrights.org/our-impact/justice/us-justice/close-nola-ice/#pineprairie
  • [7] https://www.evangelineparishsheriff.org/press-releases/public-service-announcement-from-the-sheriff