South Carolina National Guard May Soon Assist ICE in Immigration Duties

The Department of Homeland Security has asked the Pentagon to deploy up to 20,000 National Guard troops, including members from South Carolina, to assist ICE as soon as next month. If the Defense Department approves the request, the South Carolina National Guard could help with arrests, detention support, and transporting detainees.

DHS officials say the goal is to support a large interior enforcement push focused on criminal offenders and areas that limit cooperation with ICE. The Pentagon has not given final approval. Army leaders say they’re reviewing legal questions and coordinating with governors.

What’s in the request and who would do what

DHS asked for 20,000 National Guard members for interior operations. Tasks specified include:

• Night operations and rural interdiction
• Guard duty and riot control at detention centers
• Attempt to Locate — Fugitives: up to 3,500 Guard personnel
• Detention support: 2,500 soldiers
• Transportation support: up to 10,000 troops moving detainees and unaccompanied minors within and across states
• Document translation and interview support: 1,000 troops

DHS flagged “sanctuary cities” as priority locations for deployment.

Key voices and what they’re saying

• DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: “DHS requested 20,000 National Guard members to help carry out the President’s mandate … to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens. … The safety of American citizens comes first.”
• Army Secretary Dan Driscoll: Told senators the Army is preparing to provide forces but “not for any unlawful purposes.” He highlighted open legal questions, especially about moving troops across state lines.
• Sen. Jack Reed (top Democrat, Senate Armed Services Committee): Called the request unprecedented and raised concerns about its scope and legality.

What this means for South Carolina

• The state could provide Guard units for detention facility security, prisoner transport, and fugitive location teams if authorized.
• The Governor would play a role in approvals and tasking. The Pentagon is expected to rely heavily on Republican-led states, which includes South Carolina.
• Local sheriffs and jail systems may see new coordination with federal teams if transport and detention support begins.

Why this stands out

• This would be the first time the National Guard is tapped at this scale for interior immigration enforcement inside the United States.
• Past Guard missions typically focused on the border. This request shifts toward arrests, detention operations, and transport inside cities and rural areas nationwide.

Timeline and current status

• DHS roles memo issued: May 9, 2025
• Defense Department: Still reviewing the request and consulting governors
• Potential start of deployments: As early as September 2025 if approved
• Army and DHS leaders promise the mission will follow federal law and that no unlawful orders will be given.

Supporters vs. critics

• Supporters: Argue Guard help is needed to target criminal offenders and overcome limits imposed by “sanctuary city” policies.
• Critics: Legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers warn of constitutional issues, civil liberties risks, and the dangers of militarizing immigration enforcement.
• Military leaders: Cautious about law-enforcement roles; want clear rules of engagement and legal authority.

Legal and practical questions

• Interstate deployment: Can Guard troops lawfully carry out enforcement tasks across state lines under current authorities?
• Scope of authority: What actions can Guard members take under federal law when supporting ICE? Officials say the Guard won’t receive unlawful orders.
• Oversight: DHS and Army officials say they’ll ensure compliance with law and define rules for use of force and detention procedures.

Legal clarity, rules of engagement, and oversight will be central to whether and how this mission proceeds.

How operations could look on the ground

• Attempt to Locate teams: Help ICE find targeted individuals with final orders or criminal records; may operate at night and in rural areas.
• Detention support: Perimeter security, movement of detainees inside facilities, and riot control if disturbances arise.
• Transport units: Move detainees between county jails, ICE facilities, and federal contract centers, and transport unaccompanied minors to designated shelters.
• Administrative teams: Provide document translation and assist with interview logistics.

Possible community impacts

• Families with mixed immigration status may face increased fear of arrests during routine travel, especially in planned operation areas.
• Employers could see more workplace audits and arrests in targeted sectors, depending on ICE priorities.
• Local courts and public defenders may experience increased caseloads if arrests rise.
• Community groups may set up legal hotlines and know-your-rights clinics to respond quickly.

Practical steps for affected residents

1. Keep copies of immigration documents and court notices. If you have a pending case, carry proof of your next hearing date.
2. If you receive a Notice to Appear, attend all hearings. Missing court can lead to a removal order.
3. If you have an old removal order, speak with a qualified immigration lawyer about options; some cases may be reopened if circumstances changed.
4. Parents should prepare family plans, including temporary caregiver letters for children and copies of medical and school records.

What to watch next

• Pentagon decision: Approval, partial approval, or denial will shape timing and scope.
• State positions: Governors’ responses will determine which Guard units deploy and where.
• Lawsuits: Legal challenges are likely, especially from sanctuary jurisdictions and over interstate actions.
• Rules of engagement: Expect detailed guidance on force, arrests, and transport to reduce legal risk.

Official information sources

• ICE provides program details, including the 287(g) partnerships with local agencies, on its official website: ice.gov. This can help communities understand how federal and local roles intersect during any National Guard support.

How families can prepare for detention or transfer

• Memorize a trusted contact’s phone number.
• Keep essential numbers and medications ready.
• Know your A-Number and share it with someone trusted; it helps locate you if transferred.
• If served papers, ask for copies and keep them safe.

Why the debate is intense

• Scale: A 20,000-troop request is large for a domestic mission tied to arrests and detention.
• Precedent: Approval could set a long-term model for federal-state coordination in interior enforcement.
• Civil-military balance: Military involvement in civilian law enforcement raises major policy and constitutional questions.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, military planners and immigration officials are weighing operational benefits against legal and community risks, with both sides preparing for rapid changes if approval comes.

Where to get help

• Legal aid groups and bar associations often run hotlines during enforcement surges.
• Community organizations can explain rights during encounters with ICE and law enforcement.
• For official updates, check DHS and ICE news releases, and follow statements from the South Carolina Governor’s office.

Bottom line for South Carolina

• The South Carolina National Guard could soon support ICE in arrests, detention, and transport if the Pentagon and state leadership approve the plan.
• Communities should prepare for possible operations, know their rights, and track official updates.
• The final decision will signal how far the United States is willing to go in using the National Guard for domestic immigration enforcement.