Marines Deal With ICE Scare at Boot Camp Graduations

Marine officials are trying to calm families after a botched online notice suggested immigration checks would be carried out at boot camp graduations at Parris Island. The original message, posted Tuesday on the South Carolina base's website, said federal officers would conduct "lawful immigration status inquiries" at access points for upcoming ceremonies. Defense spokespeople attribute that to an internal misstep at Parris Island, saying senior Marine officials never meant to turn graduations into immigration enforcement events, the Washington Post reports. The notice, later edited, now says federal personnel will support "increased force protection measures" and help speed access procedures.

ICE's expected presence drew criticism from immigrant advocates, Democrats, and others. ICE called the initial reporting false and said its agents would not be making arrests at the ceremonies. A Marine Corps spokesman said the goal is for families to watch their children become Marines, not to face immigration actions at the gate. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, would not say how many agents will be at Parris Island for the events, whether agents will show up at other service-related graduation ceremonies, or whether such monitoring has taken place at other sites, per Military.com. Still, the base recommended that all visitors arrive prepared to be screened. Graduation is Friday morning, but families can visit the base to celebrate beginning Wednesday.