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‘Papers Please’ at Marine Boot Camp Graduation: ICE to Check IDs at Parris Island Family Days

ICE agents will be stationed at the access points of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island during Recruit Family Days and Graduation ceremonies to conduct enhanced screening and check visitors' lawful immigration status.

5:35 PM PDT on March 31, 2026

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bolanos, drill master, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, demonstrates a drill movement to recruits aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., May 13, 2014. Photo via Aneshea Yee / wikicommons.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bolanos, drill master, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, demonstrates a drill movement to recruits aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., May 13, 2014. Photo via Aneshea Yee / wikicommons.

“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.”

In a message brazened in red on the official website of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, they state that federal law enforcement will be present at the installation access points during Recruit Family and Graduation Days

As first reported by NBC, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be stationed to identify if any family members or visitors of the Marine Corps on Parris Island are undocumented in an effort to boost “protection measures on bases.”

According to NBC, "ICE will not be making arrests at the basic training graduation in Paris Island, SC.”

It is currently unclear why ICE will be stationed specifically at Parris Island.

The spokesperson encouraged all visitors to be prepared for additional screening measures, which require presenting a REAL ID, a U.S. birth certificate, or a U.S. passport to enter.

According to the spokesperson, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island holds graduation ceremonies about 46 weeks a year. It is currently unclear whether ICE agents will continue to be at the gate to Parris Island in the future, or whether they will expand to other bases.

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