One of two Jordanian nationals who attempted to storm Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia earlier this month crossed illegally into the United States in April before being released, while the other was a foreign student whose status was canceled in January, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (ICE).
Both individuals were arrested on May 3, 2024, after they attempted to break into the Marine Corps base.
A base spokesman said two people in a truck were stopped at a gate and the driver allegedly told military police officers that they were making a delivery to the post office and that they worked for a company subcontracted by Amazon.
However, an Amazon spokesperson told Fox News that it does not appear that people were making deliveries on behalf of the company and that it is investigating the matter.
ICE REFUSES TO REVEAL NAMES OF JORDANIANS ARRESTED FOR MARINE BASE VIOLATION; FORMER OFFICIALS GIVE THEIR OPINION
This division shows 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 investigation.
ICE confirmed that the base's criminal investigations division arrested the two Jordanian non-citizens for trespassing.
“Marine Corps Base authorities were notified [Enforcement and Removal Operations] ERO Washington, DC of the arrests,” said ERO Washington spokesperson James Covington. “ERO Washington, DC deportation officers responded and arrested both individuals without incident. “Both individuals will remain in ERO custody pending deportation proceedings.”
BORDER CHIEF BIDEN MUST RESPOND AFTER JORDAN NATIONALS NEARLY FAIL TO COMPLY: 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 September 11, 2022 as an F-1 nonimmigrant student with authorization to remain in the U.S. while a student. . The student's status would end on January 14, 2023.
The second Jordanian was arrested on April 8, 2024, near San Ysidro, California, after illegally entering the United States 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.
JORDAN WHO TRIED TO VIOLATE QUANTICO MARINE CORPS BASE WAS IN US ILLEGALLY, SOURCES SAY
This aerial photo taken on September 14, 2023 shows the border fence between the United States and Mexico with shelters abandoned by migrants in San Ysidro, California, on September 14, 2023. (SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP via Getty Images)
Almost a month later, both Jordanian citizens were arrested in Quantico for trespassing.
ICE said it has no information to suggest Jordanian was associated with any organization that could pose a threat to public or national security.
Additionally, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources told Fox News that neither man has a criminal record in the US, and the FBI did not say whether the suspects were on a terrorist watch list.
MAYORKAS, BORDER CHIEF BIDEN, IN HOT SEAT FOR JORDAN NATIONALS WHO TRIED TO VIOLATE QUANTICO
FILE: A U.S. Customs and Border Protection patch on the uniform of a U.S. Border Patrol sector chief patrol agent. (PFC)
“In accordance with Department of Justice policy, the FBI cannot confirm or deny the conduct of specific investigations,” an FBI spokesperson said. “It is also our policy not to confirm or deny whether specific individuals are on a watch list.”
Their identities are being withheld for privacy reasons, the officials also said.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas now faces scrutiny over the incident.
'SOMETHING DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT' ABOUT QUANTICO RAPE ATTEMPT, SAYS MIKE POMPEO
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 10. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
“Please explain how they came to the United States. Were they here illegally? Are any of them on any terrorist watch lists?” Lindsey Graham, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, R.S.C., questioned Mayorkas in a recent letter, also requesting the current status of the individuals.
Meanwhile, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin stated that he “formally requests that you immediately provide my Public Safety and Homeland Security leadership team and me with a full report on these events.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that “DHS responds to congressional correspondence directly through 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.
