ICE to Conduct Immigration Screenings at Marine Corps Graduation in South Carolina

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are being stationed outside graduation events at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island in Beaufort, South Carolina, this week to conduct immigration status screenings for visitors, according to the Marine Corps.

The new security procedures coincide with graduation ceremonies scheduled for Friday, with visiting family members permitted on base beginning Wednesday. Stricter access protocols now require all visitors to present REAL IDs, U.S. passports, or U.S. birth certificates, documents that undocumented immigrants typically do not possess.

In a message posted on the Parris Island website, the Marine Corps stated that federal law enforcement personnel would be present at access points to conduct enhanced screening and verify lawful immigration status. Though such collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies is routine for security matters, a spokesperson for MCRD Parris Island confirmed this is the first time in recent memory that agencies like ICE are actively supporting base access operations at Parris Island in this capacity.

The Department of Homeland Security clarified that ICE agents would not make arrests during these events. “ICE will not be making arrests at the basic training graduation in Parris Island, SC,” a spokesperson stated, countering speculation about enforcement actions on the base.

Graduation ceremonies for new Marines are held at Parris Island almost weekly throughout the year. The Marine Corps has asked visitors to have valid identification readily available and limit the belongings they bring to expedite screenings. It remains unclear whether ICE will continue to participate in future ceremonies or if similar procedures will be implemented at other military installations. Additional screening measures are expected to remain in place for upcoming events on the base.