In a decisive move toward bolstering national security, a partnership between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Marine Corps will encompass the latter’s bases at Camp Pendleton, Quantico, and Hawaii.
See the tweet below!
This initiative comes after alarming breaches, highlighting the necessity for heightened vigilance on our military installations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents join forces with security personnel at three critical Marine Corps installations as part of a pilot program.
The initiative aims to deter unauthorized access by foreign nationals, especially in light of increasing security threats.
This move is a response to incidents like the 2023 breach attempt at Quantico by Jordanian nationals.
The program, announced on May 16, 2025, seeks to enhance security at key entry points.
ICE agents will focus on identity verification and gate screening, ensuring those entering are authorized.
While most unauthorized access attempts are innocent mistakes due to GPS errors, some pose deliberate security risks, underscoring the importance of this collaboration.
“Marine and family readiness start at our bases and stations, and the safety and security of our Marines, sailors, family members, civilian employees and all who work and have proper access to Marine Corps installations are of the utmost importance,” explained Capt. Kevin Uebelhardt, a spokesperson for Headquarters Marine Corps, cited by Military.com.
This initiative, while enhancing security on bases, will not disrupt the daily lives of those living or working there.
There may be longer processing times, but the cooperation will ensure everyone who enters is vetted thoroughly.
This increased scrutiny is critical, given past incidents involving unauthorized drone flights and attempts by Chinese nationals to access U.S. military facilities.
Cooperation with ICE is not a response to a single event but part of a long-standing effort to improve security measures.
The program involves collaboration with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for intelligence sharing, adding another layer to the robust security plan aimed at deterring foreign nationals from unlawful entry into our military bases.
“Our partnership with ICE enhances installation-level force protection by increasing visibility, coordination and threat awareness at critical access points and in surrounding areas,” Uebelhardt said further.
There is skepticism about the need for ICE’s involvement, with some suggesting it may imply inadequate security measures by the Marine Corps.
However, the collaboration continues a history of teamwork between military and DHS agencies, strengthening American security.
As the program undergoes testing, its success could lead to broader implementation across other Marine Corps installations.
ICE to boost security at Marine bases https://t.co/qVSPzzl3Ax
— globalcore (@globalcoresite) July 7, 2025
