US changes duty status of troops assisting in immigration enforcement

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — An American flag patch is worn by a U.S. Army soldier during a training exercise at Camp Nett, Niantic, Connecticut, May 17, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Lucibello via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service - DVIDS)

The Trump administration has brought some 1,700 military personnel under the command of state governors to help with the administration's immigration law enforcement mission, the Pentagon said on Friday. 

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the service status of 1,200 personnel, who were already assisting with the mission, was changed to Title 32 from Title 10 and an additional 500 personnel were authorized to help with the immigration effort. 

"Through active planning and collaboration with our ICE partners, the Department determined that specific operational needs may require direct interaction with individuals in ICE custody," leading to this reevaluation of military personnel duty status, Parnell said in a statement.     

 (Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Tom Hogue // REUTERS)