JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is considering a request to activate the state’s National Guard members to support ICE operations with administrative and logistical tasks.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reported tens of thousands of arrests nationwide in 2025 since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term.
On the recent request, a spokesperson from Gov. Kehoe’s office shared the following statement, in part, with FOX 2:
“The Governor’s Office and the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard are assessing a request for support from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the National Guard Bureau relative to any support Missouri might provide. If activated, Servicemembers supporting ICE would be performing administrative and logistical support.”
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The request follows a July 25 order from the U.S. Secretary of Defense to allow military personnel to support ICE detention and processing facilities under Title 32 status, which is federally funded, but carried out under the authority of governors.
That same order authorized 500 newly identified personnel to assist ICE in 10 states, including Missouri.
It remains unclear when Kehoe might decide on the request or how many Missouri National Guard members could be activated.
According to the Secretary of Defense, personnel could be assigned to duties such as case management, transportation and clerical support tied to the intake and release of detainees without legal status.
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