Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be stationed at the gates of Marine Corps graduation events at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Beaufort, South Carolina, to conduct immigration status screenings of family members and other visitors, NBC News first reported, citing the U.S. Marine Corps.
In a message posted on its website, the Marine Corps said that federal law enforcement personnel will be present at installation access points during recruit family days and graduation ceremonies to carry out “enhanced screening and lawful immigration status inquiries during Recruit Family and Graduation Days.”
Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment.
Why It Matters
Protection measures at bases have been enhanced by the Marine Corps due to the ongoing war in Iran, NBC News reported. ICE is a law enforcement agency under the umbrella of DHS responsible for removing individuals who are in the country unlawfully. Under the Donald Trump administration, the agency became the subject of significant criticism from civil rights groups, lawmakers, and advocacy organizations.
What To Know
Visitors attending graduation events will be required to present valid identification to enter the base. Acceptable forms include REAL ID–compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards, U.S. passports, passport cards, or other approved documents used to verify identity.
These requirements apply to individuals who do not already hold Department of Defense credentials, such as military ID cards or other authorized access credentials.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said ICE agents will not make arrests at the graduation event, NBC News reported. The Marine Corps said it routinely coordinates with federal partners on security matters, and this is the first time in recent memory that federal law enforcement agencies have supported base access operations at Parris Island in this capacity.
Officials at the installation have advised visitors to bring proper identification and to minimize the number of items they carry to help facilitate the entry process and reduce delays at security checkpoints.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is a primary training facility for enlisted Marines living east of the Mississippi River. It hosts weekly graduation ceremonies at the end of the 13-week recruit training cycle.
According to the Marine Corps website, graduation takes place Friday morning, with visiting hours for family members beginning on Wednesday of graduation week and continuing through Friday. The website also notes that Thursday is designated as family day, when new Marines are first permitted on-base liberty to see their relatives. Marines are unable to see their families during the 13-week training period.
What People Are Saying
A DHS spokesperson said in a statement, as reported by NBC News: “ICE will not be making arrests at the basic training graduation in Paris Island, SC.”
A spokesperson for MCRD Parris Island said in a statement: “While the Marine Corps routinely coordinates with federal partners on security matters, this is the first time in recent memory that federal law enforcement agencies have supported base access operations at Parris Island in this capacity.”
What Happens Next
It was not immediately clear whether similar ICE screening measures will be used at other Marine Corps training facilities.
