The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is refuting claims that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will make arrests this week at Marine graduation events at Parris Island in South Carolina.
“This is FALSE,” a DHS spokesperson told Military.com. “ICE will not be making arrests at the basic training graduation in Parris Island, SC.”
The claims are based directly from the website for the Marine Corps’ Recruit Depot (MCRD) at Parris Island, South Carolina, conveying mixed messaging regarding ICE officials’ presence and whether this is indicative of future enforcement. Parris Island has been a fixture for more than a century.
The MCRD website disclaimer reads as follows: “Due to MCRD’s increased Force Protection Measures, Federal Law Enforcement personnel will be present at installation access points to conduct enhanced screening and lawful immigration status inquiries during Recruit Family and Graduation Days.”
DHS did not specify to Military.com how many ICE agents are anticipated to be on scene during these ceremonies/events at Parris Island, whether there will be an ICE presence at other service-related graduation events and ceremonies, or whether similar monitoring has previously occurred at other sites.
Military.com reached out to the Marine Corps for comment and clarification.
Marines: 'First Time in Recent Memory'
NBC News previously reported that the presence is due to Marine recruits' families potentially not being legal U.S. citizens and/or not having the proper authorization—such as passports, REAL IDs or birth certificates—to enter grounds in places like Parris Island.
“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,” an MCRD Parris Island spokesperson told NBC News.
They also encouraged all visitors to be prepared for screening measures.
“To help ensure a smooth and timely process, guests should bring proper identification and limit the number of items they carry onto the installation,” the spokesperson said.
Military.com previously reported how ICE agents started appearing in some U.S. airports last week to aid with above-average lines and passenger wait times, including conducting I.D. checks and assisting with security enforcement.
The Parris Island graduation ceremony will take place Friday, April 3, though family members are invited to the grounds in the two days ahead to partake in different activities.
MCRD said Parris Island hosts roughly 46 graduation ceremonies per year.
