U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Thursday that one of two Jordanian nationals who attempted to gain unauthorized access to a Marine Corps base in Virginia this month had entered the U.S. illegally through the southern border in April.
On April 8, 2024, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) apprehended Jordanian noncitizen 2 near San Ysidro, California, after his illegal entry into the United States. On April 9, 2024, the USBP issued Jordanian noncitizen 2 a Notice to Appear before a Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judge. He was subsequently released the same day on an Order of Recognizance.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) also stated that the other Jordanian national, referred to as “noncitizen 1,” had entered on a student visa on September 11, 2022, with an F-1 nonimmigrant student visa. However, his “Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record was set to ‘terminated’” on January 14, 2023.
ERO added:
On May 3, 2024, the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Quantico, VA, arrested the Jordanian noncitizens for trespassing. On the same day, ERO Washington responded to the base and interviewed the individuals. Following confirmation of their immigration status, ERO Washington took both noncitizens into custody.
ERO confirmed that both noncitizens would remain in ICE ERO custody as their removal proceedings are pending.
“ICE has no information indicating that either noncitizen is affiliated with any organization posing a public safety or national security threat,” the statement said.
Statement: Attributable to ERO Washington spokesperson James Covington pic.twitter.com/qcs8MhYe4w
— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) May 24, 2024
A local news organization initially reported the breach on May 10, 2024.
Potomac Local News reported that in the early morning hours, the two Jordanian nationals drove to the base’s main gate in a box truck, claiming to be “contractors for Amazon” and attempting to deliver to the base’s post office.
Officers utilized a vehicle denial barrier to stop the truck and detained the men.
The outlet reported that one of the vehicle’s occupants is on the U.S. terrorist watch list.
The base subsequently heightened its security measures and sent a mass email to base personnel, advising them to remain vigilant, according to the report.
Fox News reported that Amazon stated it does not appear the individuals were making a delivery on behalf of the company and that it is investigating the incident.
Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee have launched an investigation into the matter.
