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The legal and ethical debate is further complicated by the historical precedent of military involvement in domestic affairs. While the National Guard is frequently deployed by governors to handle natural disasters or civil unrest, the use of active-duty federal troops—especially a branch as specialized as the Marines—carries a different weight of authority and intent. Constitutional scholars have noted that while the “logistical” loophole provides a temporary legal shield for the administration, the long-term implications for the separation of powers are profound. If the military can be used to “support” ICE, can it eventually be used to “support” other domestic agencies in ways that slowly erode the barrier between the citizen and the soldier?
As the initial 200 Marines settle into their roles in Florida, the gaze of the nation is fixed on the upcoming deployments to the border states. The success or failure of this mission will likely be measured in two very different ways. The administration will likely point to data—the number of cases processed, the tons of supplies moved, and the reduction in overtime hours for ICE agents. Conversely, critics will point to the social cost—the deepened fear in migrant communities, the strain on the military’s own readiness, and the symbolic damage to the image of the U.S. as a nation that handles civil immigration through civil means.