Jordanian national in attempted Quantico breach illegally crossed border last month
Both Jordanians arrested at Quantico earlier this month are in the U.S. illegally -- one after crossing in from Mexico and the other on a student visa overstay, Griff Jenkins reports.
One of two Jordanian nationals who attempted to breach Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia earlier this month crossed into the U.S. illegally in April before being released, while the other was a foreign student whose status was terminated in January, according to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Both individuals were apprehended on May 3, 2024, after they attempted to breach the Marine Corp base.
A spokesperson for the base said two people in a box truck were stopped at a gate, with the driver allegedly telling military police officers they were making a delivery to the post office and worked for a company subcontracted by Amazon.
However, an Amazon spokesperson told Fox News it does not appear the individuals were delivering on behalf of the company and that it is looking into the matter.
ICE DECLINES TO REVEAL NAMES OF JORDANIANS NABBED FOR MARINE BASE BREACH; FORMER OFFICIALS WEIGH IN
This split show Quantico Marine Corps Base and an ICE agent. (John Moore/Getty Images) and (Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images))
Since both men were not affiliated with the base and could not provide approved credentials, they were directed to a holding area for vetting.
ICE confirmed the base’s criminal investigations division apprehended the two Jordanian noncitizens for trespassing.
"Marine Corps Base authorities notified [Enforcement and Removal Operations] ERO Washington, D.C. of the apprehensions," ERO Washington spokesperson James Covington said. "Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C. responded and arrested both individuals without incident. Both individuals will remain in ERO custody pending removal proceedings."
BIDEN BORDER CHIEF MUST ANSWER AFTER JORDANIAN NATIONALS NEARLY BREACH QUANTICO: SENATORS
The main gate of the US Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, on March 22, 2013. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
One of the individuals was admitted into the country by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Sept. 11, 2022 as an F-1 nonimmigrant student with authorization to stay in the U.S. while he was a student. The student’s status was set to terminate on Jan. 14, 2023.
The second Jordanian was arrested on April 8, 2024, near San Ysidro, California after he entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico, according to ICE.
After being arrested, he was ordered to appear before an immigration judge on April 9, and the noncitizen was released on his own recognizance.
JORDANIAN WHO TRIED TO BREACH MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO WAS IN US ILLEGALLY, SOURCES SAY
This aerial picture taken on September 14, 2023 shows the US-Mexico border fence with camp shelters left by migrants in San Ysidro, California, on September 14, 2023. (SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP via Getty Images)
Nearly a month later, both Jordanian citizens were arrested at Quantico for trespassing.
ICE said it has no information suggesting either Jordanian was associated with any organization that would pose a threat to public safety or national security.
Likewise, sources with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Fox News that neither man has a criminal history in the U.S., and the FBI would not say if the suspects were on a terrorist watchlist.
BIDEN BORDER CHIEF MAYORKAS IN HOT SEAT OVER JORDANIAN NATIONALS WHO TRIED TO BREACH QUANTICO
FILE: A U.S. Customs and Border Protection patch on the uniform of a sector chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol. (CBP)
"In keeping with Department of Justice policy, the FBI can neither confirm nor deny conducting specific investigations," an FBI spokesperson said. "It is also our policy to neither confirm nor deny whether specific individuals are on a watchlist."
Their identities are being withheld over privacy concerns, officials also said.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is now facing scrutiny over the incident.
‘SOMETHING DOESN’T SOUND RIGHT’ ABOUT ATTEMPTED QUANTICO BREACH, MIKE POMPEO SAYS
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks on Capitol Hill, on Wednesday, April 10. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
"Please explain how they came to the United States. Were they here illegally? Are either of them on any terrorist watchlist?" Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questioned Mayorkas in a recent letter, also requesting the current status of the individuals.
Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin stated he is "formally requesting that you immediately provide my Public Safety and Homeland Security leadership team and me a full briefing on these events."
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A spokesperson for DHS has told Fox News Digital that "DHS responds to congressional correspondence directly via official channels, and the Department will continue to respond appropriately to Congressional oversight."
Fox News’ Griff Jenkins, Greg Norman, Michael Ruiz, Adam Shaw and Julia Johnson contributed to this report.
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