Some Marines graduate without their parents' presence amid ICE fears

ImmigrationSome Marines graduate without their parents' presence amid ICE fearsNews that ICE would be stationed outside Marine Corps graduation events upended family plans, elicited national reaction and drew out protesters, including Marine veterans.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Family and friends gathered on Parris Island, S.C., on Friday to welcome a new graduating class of Marines.Suzanne Gamboa / NBC NewsShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 3, 2026, 4:09 PM EDTBy Suzanne Gamboa and Betsy BadellPARRIS ISLAND, South Carolina — Pvt. Ramirez Garcia considered giving up a lot of times during her recruit training at Marine Corps Depot Parris Island.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“I’m glad I pushed through," said the newly graduated Marine, who withheld her first name out of caution as a member of the military. “I’m glad I was able to make it to today,” she said on Friday. But two important people weren’t there on this milestone day: mom and dad. According to Ramirez Garcia’s sister Emily, their parents are in the U.S. on a work visa and were too scared to attend the graduation when they heard ICE could be doing security checks. “They were going to come. It was going to be a big thing. We were going to go to the beach right after. All those plans had to go out the window because they said ICE would be here,” said Emily Ramirez, who added she was “so incredibly proud” of her sister. “I can't believe she's a Marine.”U.S. Marine Pvt. Ramirez Garcia, her wife and her sister Emily Ramirez celebrate her graduation on Friday.Suzanne Gamboa / NBC NewsNBC News did not see ICE officers or agents at the graduation on Friday. Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarbrough, a public affairs officer at the base, said that due to safety protocols he couldn't confirm from what agency the federal officers who assisted with security checks hailed from. He said federal officers have helped with security a...