South Dakota Extends National Guard Deployment With ICE Through 2027

The State of South Dakota is extending its use of South Dakota National Guard soldiers to assist United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In a press release, Governor Larry Rhoden said:

'Our guardsmen, troopers, and corrections officers have delivered exceptional results as they work to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free. I am grateful for their dedication and commitment to protecting our communities. Their efforts are getting illegal alien criminals off our streets and making our state and nation safer.'

Under the agreement, seven guard soldiers will be utilized - three in Sioux Falls, three in Rapid City, and one administrative position. The extended deployment, which will be covered by federal funding, will last until September 30, 2027.

Since the South Dakota National Guard began working with ICE in July of 2025, 1,013 undocumented individuals from the state have been deported.

READ MORE: South Dakota Leads Nation With Drug Arrest Rate More Than Double National Average

Governor Rhoden also announced that the South Dakota Highway Patrol will receive approximately $480,000 in additional funding from the Trump Administration to support troopers trained under ICE’s 287(g) agreement. Earlier this summer,

Governor Rhoden announced that the SDHP received an initial $150,418 in federal funding. This financial support is directly allocated toward personnel payroll, specialized field equipment, and information technology stipends to support the agency's coordinated enforcement efforts.

Currently, the Highway Patrol has 38 state troopers participating in the program. State Troopers have assisted in 261 immigration-related arrests involving individuals unlawfully present in the United States who were encountered during routine patrols across South Dakota.

The Department of Corrections has also continued to work with ICE as part of this state-federal partnership. The department, in cooperation with the Board of Pardons and Parole, has paroled 38 inmates directly into ICE custody. Four additional inmates have been approved and are pending transfer.

According to the Governor's office, removing undocumented criminals saves South Dakota taxpayers an average of over $34,000 in annual cost per inmate and keeps citizens safe.