(The Center Square) – Sixty Virginia National Guard soldiers and airmen will begin training later this month to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with administrative and logistics work.
The Guard said the personnel will not take part in law enforcement or make arrests, but will handle duties such as answering phones, data entry, scheduling appointments, collecting biometrics, performing basic vehicle maintenance and tracking fleet expenses and utilization.
Training is scheduled to take place in late August, with Guard members expected to be on duty by early September. The timeline could shift as plans are finalized.
Personnel will report directly to ICE leadership at assigned duty locations but remain under the control of the Virginia governor and the commonwealth’s adjutant general.
The change follows a July 25 announcement from the U.S. Department of Defense adjusting the duty status for military personnel supporting ICE’s immigration enforcement mission. Troops will transition from Title 10 to Title 32 status, which allows National Guard members to be federally funded while staying under state command.
According to the Pentagon, the shift affects about 1,200 service members nationwide and adds 500 newly authorized personnel, bringing total support to approximately 1,700 troops. Support roles include case management, transportation, logistical support, and clerical work for the in-processing and out-processing of individuals at ICE detention facilities.
The Department of Defense said the change will allow ICE to dedicate more trained agents to core law enforcement activities by shifting administrative and logistical duties to Guard personnel. Officials described the arrangement as a way to maintain continuity of support for the immigration enforcement mission while keeping Guard members under the authority of their state leadership.
