Governor Mike Kehoe has authorized the Missouri National Guard to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at processing facilities across the state beginning October 1, 2025. The deployment focuses on administrative, clerical, and logistical tasks rather than enforcement activities.
The order, issued at the request of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, places Guard members in back-office roles so federal agents can concentrate on security and field operations. The mission will run through September 30, 2026 under Title 32 status, meaning the effort is federally funded while remaining under the governor’s command in Missouri.
Purpose and Scope
- The deployment is intended to relieve staff shortages at busy ICE intake locations and county jails that contract with ICE.
- Tasks are limited to data entry, case management, and moving supplies within ICE processing networks.
- Guard members will not perform arrests, immigration checkpoints, patrols, removals, or other direct enforcement actions.
- Participation is voluntary for Guard members chosen for the mission.
Officials say the plan lets sworn ICE officers focus on interviews, court coordination, transport, and security while the Guard handles administrative load.
“The Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support,” Governor Kehoe said, framing the decision as part of his “Safer Missouri” initiative.
Policy Details (At-a-glance)
- Start Date: October 1, 2025
- End Date: September 30, 2026
- Status: Title 32 — federally funded, under governor’s command
- Primary Duties: Data entry, case management, logistical support
- Enforcement Role: None — no arrests, no patrols, no removals
- Participation: Voluntary for assigned Guard members
- Jurisdictions / Facilities: County jails with ICE contracts including Phelps, Ste. Genevieve, and Greene counties
- Coordination / Oversight: Missouri Department of Public Safety and the governor’s office will coordinate
Operational Details and Safeguards
Officials emphasize a phased rollout to manage access and protect sensitive information. Planned safeguards include:
- Mission-specific training on data handling, detainee privacy, evidence chain protocols, and facility safety
- Systems to track who accesses which records and why
- Continued oversight by the Missouri Department of Public Safety and the governor’s office
- Clear rules of engagement limiting Guard activity to administrative and logistical functions
State leaders say the Guard already manages protected data in other missions and will follow applicable federal privacy standards here.
Legal and Command Framework
- The Title 32 framework enables federal funding while keeping command with the governor, a common model for Guard missions that support civil authorities without combat roles.
- This structure allows Missouri to retain oversight of personnel assignments, training, and conduct while DHS provides funding.
Context and Political Considerations
- The deployment aligns with the Trump administration’s push to increase capacity in immigration enforcement systems without placing soldiers in direct contact roles with detainees or communities.
- It complements other state actions, such as a 287(g) partnership announced in January 2025 that trains selected state and local officers to perform limited federal immigration tasks under ICE supervision.
Supporters argue the combination of 287(g) plus Guard administrative support may speed case processing and reduce bottlenecks. Critics counter that the Guard’s traditional mission focuses on disaster response, infrastructure, and community support—not immigration backlogs—and question whether shifting military resources into federal casework either improves safety or strains community relationships.
Critics also warn that, even in an administrative role, the Guard’s presence near detention settings could heighten fear among mixed-status families and people attending routine check-ins.
Both proponents and opponents stress the importance of clarity on scope—particularly the promise of no arrests, no patrols—to avoid mission creep.
Impact on Communities, Attorneys, and Employers
- For immigrants and families: Most immediate effects are operational—faster file handling could mean quicker intakes, more timely transfers, and more predictable scheduling within the detention pipeline.
- Attorneys may gain improved access to updated case files if data entry speeds up, but defense groups warn quicker processing can compress preparation timelines.
- Families visiting detainees in Phelps, Ste. Genevieve, and Greene counties might see more regularized schedules; however, visits still depend on local jail policies and federal rules.
- For employers: Daily worksite enforcement is unlikely to change because Guard members are not authorized to inspect or arrest. Still, faster processing could indirectly affect how quickly ICE moves people between facilities or into proceedings, potentially impacting workforce stability in sectors like agriculture, food processing, and construction.
Practical Expectations
- Residents should not expect to see Guard soldiers conducting immigration stops. Most work will occur inside offices at ICE processing facilities or county jails with federal contracts.
- People with pending immigration matters may notice faster file updates or more consistent transport. Immigration attorneys advise clients to keep documents organized and stay in close contact with counsel as scheduling could change with shorter notice.
- Officials say volunteers will receive mission-specific training and will operate under clear rules while inside ICE facilities.
Comparisons, Risks, and Past Experience
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates similar limited-support deployments in other states helped reduce paperwork backlogs, but also raised questions about cost, oversight, and the Guard’s mission scope.
- Supporters point to long-standing Guard roles supporting civil agencies—logistics during floods, vaccine supply chains, and staffing emergency call centers—to justify this administrative mission.
- Opponents urge more investment in legal services and alternatives to detention, arguing those measures might better address root causes than adding administrative capacity.
Reporting and Further Information
Missourians seeking official updates, executive orders, and deployment notices can monitor the Missouri Governor’s Office: https://governor.mo.gov. The governor’s site typically posts executive orders, deployment notices, and coordination memos explaining who is assigned, where, and for how long.
The timeline is explicit: the Guard’s administrative support begins October 1, 2025, and runs through September 30, 2026, unless modified or ended earlier.
State officials maintain the approach balances public safety and lawful process, while critics urge alternative investments and caution about extending state involvement in detention systems. With the start date approaching, communities, attorneys, and employers will soon learn whether augmenting staff inside ICE processing facilities delivers measurable gains—or simply shifts pressure elsewhere in the immigration system.
This Article in a Nutshell
Governor Mike Kehoe authorized a Missouri National Guard deployment to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at processing facilities beginning October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The Title 32 mission is federally funded but remains under the governor’s command. Guard members will perform administrative and logistical tasks—data entry, case management, and moving supplies—at ICE-contracted county jails, including Phelps, Ste. Genevieve, and Greene counties. They will not engage in arrests, patrols, or removals. Officials emphasize phased rollout, mission-specific training, and access controls to protect sensitive data. Supporters say the plan reduces backlogs and lets ICE focus on security; critics warn about community trust, costs, and potential mission creep.
