South Dakota Extends National Guard ICE Support Deployment Through Next September
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced Oct. 5 an extension of the deployment of seven state National Guard members assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The personnel, deployed in Sioux Falls and Rapid City since last fall to assist with removals, will remain through next September, with costs covered by federal funds from the Trump administration.
The effort began in summer 2025 under the name "Operation: Prairie Thunder." According to the governor's office, the Guard has assisted ICE in 1,013 removals of unlawfully present individuals since the deployment began. "Our guardsmen, troopers, and corrections officers have produced outstanding results — removing criminal illegal immigrants from our streets and making our state and nation safer," Rhoden said.
Rhoden also announced the South Dakota Highway Patrol received $480,000 in new federal funding under ICE's 287(g) program for personnel wages, field equipment, and IT stipends, on top of $150,000 earlier this year. Thirty-eight troopers now participate, and officials say they have assisted in 261 arrests during routine patrols.
The deployment has also drawn criticism: civil-liberties advocates argue that using military personnel in domestic immigration enforcement blurs the line between the military and civilian law enforcement. Rhoden responded that the Guard's role is strictly limited to supporting civilian law enforcement.
(Source: South Dakota Public Broadcasting)
Source: South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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