Federal law enforcement agents will be deployed at a Marine Corps graduation ceremony this Friday at Parris Island, South Carolina, in what officials say is an unprecedented security measure for the military installation.
According to an announcement posted on the Marine base’s website, this marks the first instance in recent years that federal agents have been assigned to support entry operations at the facility.
Media reports from NBC News indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers may be positioned outside the graduation ceremonies to check whether relatives of graduating Marines have proper immigration documentation.
However, the Department of Homeland Security stated on social media platforms that ICE will not conduct arrests during the event. The agency did not provide additional details when contacted for further information about their involvement.
The official notice from Parris Island did not specify which federal agencies would be involved, stating only that the personnel would handle security and operational support.
“Due to increased force protection measures and to expedite enhanced base access procedures, federal law enforcement personnel will be present at installation access points during Recruit Family and Graduation Days,” the announcement stated.
Friday’s ceremony will honor Marines completing their intensive 13-week boot camp at the South Carolina training facility.
The Parris Island depot serves as one of two primary training centers for Marine recruits, alongside a facility in San Diego, California. The West Coast location, which also hosts graduation ceremonies on Friday, has not announced similar federal law enforcement deployment on its website.
Each year, approximately 20,000 new Marines complete their training at Parris Island, where military instruction has taken place since 1915.
“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,” a base representative told NBC News.
Marine Corps officials at Parris Island have not yet responded to requests for additional comment about the security arrangements.
