Both of the Jordanian nationals who allegedly attempted to break into a Marine base in Virginia are residing in the United States unlawfully, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
One of the Jordanian nationals who tried to break into the Quantico Marine base earlier this month entered the U.S. illegally through the San Diego sector in April and the other is a student visa overstay, according to the agency. The confirmation comes days after many public officials, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, have demanded federal authorities provide more details on these two individuals.
“On May 3, 2024, Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Criminal Investigations Division apprehended two Jordanian noncitizens for trespassing. Marine Corps Base authorities notified ERO Washington, D.C. of the apprehensions,” ICE spokesman James Covington said in a statement.
“Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C. responded and arrested both individuals without incident. Both individuals will remain in ERO custody pending removal proceedings,” Covington continued.
The main gate of the US Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, on March 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The men allegedly drove a truck up to the base’s front gate, claiming to the guards that they were contractors for Amazon and needed to make a drop off to the base’s post office.
Per Quantico’s vetting standards, the men were asked to undergo a vetting procedure as they lacked credentials and had no affiliation with the base. It was then that one Marine official noticed the driver was not adhering to given instructions, attempting to instead drive the truck past the holding area. (RELATED: Blue State Released Illegal Immigrant Convicted Of Killing Two Children Despite ICE Detainer)
Quantico officials put up the base’s vehicle denial barriers and detained the two men. Capt. Michael Curtis, a spokesman for the base, stated that “specific steps” had been taken by officers to help maintain the safety and security of those on the base.
The ICE statement revealed that “Jordanian noncitizen 1” was admitted into the U.S. by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on September 11, 2022 as an F-1 nonimmigrant student. However, that individual’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System was terminated on January 14, 2023.
Border Patrol arrested “Jordanian noncitizen 2” on April 8 near San Ysidro, California following his illegal entry into the U.S., the ICE statement said. Border Patrol issued this individual a Notice to Appear before an immigration judge on April 9 and then released him on an order of recognizance.
The agency said it has no information to suggest either of these Jordanian nationals are associated with “any organization that would pose a public safety or national security threat.”
ICE has reiterated that they will be kept in the agency’s custody pending their deportation proceedings.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include confirmation from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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