Pentagon Plans to Deploy National Guard to 19 States in Support of Immigration Enforcement Operations

August 24, 2025 - President Trump's administration is mobilizing up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states to bolster immigration enforcement, aiding the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in operations targeting illegal immigration.

The deployments, starting as early as next month and extending through mid-November, will support tasks like case management, transportation, logistics, clerical work, and serving as a visible deterrent to crime linked to border security issues. States involved include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. Texas will host the largest contingent, aligning with ongoing border protection efforts.

This initiative aims to ramp up deportations to 3,000 arrests daily, strengthening border security and reducing burdens on local communities from unchecked illegal immigration. It draws on successful models like state-led support for federal agencies, emphasizing law and order without overstepping into local policing.

These National Guard activations differ from the separate deployment in Washington, D.C., where troops patrol streets to combat violent crime under a public safety emergency declaration. While D.C. focuses on urban crime reduction, the 19-state plan targets immigration-specific challenges, such as processing and deterrence at key facilities.

Despite opposition from some Democrat governors and mayors, who claim no local requests were made, the Pentagon proceeds with coordination to ensure effective federal support. This move underscores President Trump's commitment to securing America's borders and protecting citizens from immigration-related threats.