Some Marines graduate without their parents' presence amid ICE fears
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Pvt. Ramirez Garcia graduated from Marine Corps Depot Parris Island but her undocumented immigrant parents did not attend the ceremony due to fears of ICE presence and potential immigration checks.
- The base had announced enhanced security measures including immigration status inquiries by federal law enforcement, causing fear among immigrant families and protests by Marine veterans who viewed the checks as harmful to morale.
- Approximately 17% of active military members have immigrant parents, and the Marines actively recruit from immigrant families, often highlighting potential immigration benefits for family members.
- While federal officials stated ICE would not make arrests at the graduation, the presence of immigration checks led many families to avoid attending, despite policies requiring legal documentation for base access.
- Advocates and attorneys criticized the immigration checks at military events as detrimental to military families and morale, emphasizing that security should not be based on immigration status.
