Little Rock, Arkansas – Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. addressed the recent announcement that members of the Arkansas National Guard will assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the state, following Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ decision earlier this week. The plan includes deploying 40 National Guard personnel statewide, with 18 of them stationed in Little Rock. According to the governor’s office, their role will focus on detainee transport and processing, without involving armed patrols or direct law enforcement duties.
Mayor Scott said he only recently became aware of the deployment and is still evaluating the details with city officials. “Well, I just learned the information and the news about that decision,” he said. “I want to take some time to review all of the details first, alongside our chief of police and other city leaders.”
The mayor emphasized that, based on the information currently available, the National Guard’s mission in Little Rock appears to be administrative rather than enforcement-oriented. “But from what I do understand, these individuals will not be patrolling the streets of Little Rock; they will be processing paperwork,” Scott said. “I don’t even think they will have any weaponry upon themselves. It seems to be very administrative in this process.”
Scott also made it clear that the deployment does not appear to be connected to local crime trends. “One, I don’t think this announcement has to do with crime in Little Rock; it has things to do with ICE, which doesn’t have anything to do with crime in our city,” he explained. “Two, our city has seen a significant reduction in crime over the past few years. Right now, we have a 20% reduction for all crime, an 18% reduction in violent crime over the past five years.”
The mayor credited the Little Rock Police Department for the city’s progress in public safety. “I think our chief of police and the men and women of our police department have been doing a stellar job, consecutive years, of driving crime down,” he said.
Scott highlighted the city’s recent ability to handle large crowds safely, pointing to last weekend’s Razorback–Red Wolves football game. Nearly 100,000 fans attended the event, with few reported incidents. The mayor suggested this demonstrates Little Rock’s capacity to manage both routine public safety responsibilities and large-scale events without outside enforcement support.
“I want to assure the residents in Little Rock that we have and will always be a very welcoming and inclusive city, and we are grateful for every resident that resides here in the city,” Scott said.
While the deployment has drawn attention, city officials are working to understand its exact implications. The Arkansas National Guard has clarified that its members assisting ICE will focus solely on operational support tasks, including processing detainees and transporting them between facilities. They will not carry firearms, conduct street patrols, or engage in direct policing activities.
Governor Sanders’ office emphasized that the deployment is part of a broader effort to support federal immigration operations rather than address local crime. Still, the timing has prompted questions among Little Rock residents and local leaders about coordination and oversight. Scott acknowledged the need for careful review before the city can fully comment on the deployment’s impact.
Despite the uncertainty, the mayor underscored the city’s ongoing commitment to community safety and inclusion. He praised local law enforcement and city officials for maintaining public order and managing events successfully. With Little Rock experiencing declining crime rates and residents continuing to engage in city life safely, Scott indicated confidence that the administrative presence of National Guard members would not disrupt local operations or community trust.
As the city awaits more information from both state and federal authorities, Mayor Scott pledged to remain transparent with residents. “I want to take the time to review all of the details,” he said, signaling that city leaders will monitor the situation closely to ensure the National Guard’s role aligns with Little Rock’s safety standards and community values.
For now, the National Guard’s presence in the city will be limited to administrative support for ICE, leaving day-to-day law enforcement and public safety firmly in the hands of local police. Little Rock’s officials and residents alike are watching carefully as the deployment unfolds, balancing federal support with the city’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and security.
