Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Monday that the Arkansas National Guard will assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with interior immigration enforcement across the state under the federal Title 32 Program. The announcement comes as part of Sanders’ broader efforts to strengthen state-federal cooperation on immigration and public safety initiatives.
“Violent, criminal illegal immigrants have no place in Arkansas,” Governor Sanders said during the press briefing. “I signed the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act to hold these criminals accountable and slap enhanced penalties on illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes while in our state, and I look forward to our guardsmen working with the Trump Administration to enforce federal immigration law. President Trump has secured our border and is cleaning up our streets, and Arkansas stands with him every step of the way.”
The mission will involve up to 40 National Guard personnel across the state, including 27 Air National Guard airmen and 13 Army National Guard soldiers. Of these, 18 personnel will be stationed in Little Rock, 10 in Fort Smith, 10 in Fayetteville, and two at Camp Robinson, which will serve as a command and control hub. According to state officials, all operations will be fully funded by the federal government, and National Guard members will not carry weapons while supporting ICE activities.
“The Arkansas National Guard stands ready to support this mission by providing requested administrative and logistical assistance to the Department of Homeland Security,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “Our Guardsmen are highly trained and committed to enabling federal agents to focus on their core operations.”
The decision to deploy the Guard comes after the Department of Homeland Security issued a formal Request for Assistance to the Department of Defense on May 9, 2025, seeking support from National Guard personnel for ICE interior enforcement activities. The request was formally approved by the Department of Defense on July 25, contingent on approval from each state’s governor.
Under the plan, Arkansas National Guard personnel will primarily provide logistical and administrative support. Duties include assisting with detainee transport, riding with ICE agents who have custody of individuals, helping process detainees, and performing clerical tasks to facilitate detainment. Guardsmen will not be engaged in law enforcement activities or armed operations, ensuring their role remains supportive rather than enforcement-focused.
Governor Sanders has repeatedly emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between state and federal authorities. Earlier this year, she signed the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act, which expanded Arkansas’ sanctuary city ban to include unincorporated areas and counties, mandated law enforcement participation in the 287(g) program, and increased penalties for illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes within the state.
The announcement also follows a series of high-profile arrests and incidents involving illegal immigrants in Arkansas. In January 2025, Arkansas State Police arrested Luis Danielle Valdez-Reyes, a violent illegal immigrant who struck a state trooper while fleeing arrest. In November 2024, authorities apprehended Elias Avila Bustillo, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador wanted in his home country for gang association. Governor Sanders has also participated in public memorials for victims of crimes involving illegal immigrants, including Little Rock nurse Jennifer Ann Morton, killed by a driver later identified as an illegal immigrant.
This is not the first time the Arkansas National Guard has assisted with border and immigration enforcement. In 2023, Governor Sanders sent 80 guardsmen to the southern border to support Texas law enforcement, and in previous years, additional deployments were made in response to federal requests for assistance. These moves reflect Sanders’ long-standing position that states must act when the federal government fails to secure the southern border.
Supporters of the move argue that closer collaboration between the Arkansas National Guard and ICE will enhance public safety and allow federal agents to focus on core enforcement tasks. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the militarization of immigration enforcement and the potential for civil rights implications. State officials have indicated that National Guard personnel will operate strictly under federal and state guidelines to ensure compliance with all laws.
The deployment also coincides with data indicating declining illegal border crossings under President Trump’s administration. In February 2025, illegal border crossings reportedly fell to 8,300, down 94% from the 140,641 encounters recorded the previous year. President Trump declared a national emergency on his first day back in office, a move cited by Governor Sanders as an example of federal commitment to border security.
As Arkansas National Guard personnel prepare to support ICE operations, officials emphasized that the mission reflects both a commitment to public safety and a broader vision of law and order. By combining federal resources with state manpower, the effort is intended to address violent and criminal illegal activity while keeping the process organized and regulated.
Governor Sanders concluded, “Arkansas is standing strong, supporting federal efforts, and taking proactive steps to ensure that criminals who enter our state illegally are held accountable. Our National Guard is ready, our law enforcement is ready, and our communities deserve nothing less.”
The National Guard deployment is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with personnel stationed at key locations to provide immediate logistical support and administrative assistance to ICE agents across the state.
