In a deeply concerning development, two men from Jordan allegedly attempted to infiltrate the Quantico Marine Corps base. One of these men initially entered the United States on a student visa but remained illegally after overstaying.
The other man had recently crossed the southern border illegally and was reportedly on the terrorist watch list. This alarming incident, which took place on May 3, was only recently uncovered by Potomac Local, prompting the Marine Corps to acknowledge the breach.
The men, posing as Amazon delivery drivers, defied instructions to stop and drove onto the base, raising significant security concerns. While the Marine Corps confirmed their illegal status, they did not verify the report about one man being on the terrorist watch list.
The broader context of this incident highlights a significant increase in the issuance of F-1 student visas during the Biden administration, with nearly half a million issued in 2023—a 8.5% rise from the previous year.
The growth in visas has been most notable among students from Africa and East Asia, while the numbers from Europe and Latin America have declined. DHS data shows a notable presence of students from countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, and Jordan in the U.S.
Amidst these developments, campus protests have frequently featured foreign students espousing radical Islamist beliefs and attempting to influence U.S. policy. This has led to increased concerns about the potential for such students to contribute to on-campus anti-Semitism and other forms of radicalism.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has called on the Department of Homeland Security to deport foreign nationals who support or endorse terrorist activities, particularly those on student visas. In a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, he urged the immediate deportation of any foreign national expressing support for Hamas or other terrorist organizations. However, Mayorkas declined to provide such assurances to Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri).
Authorities have refrained from naming the two men involved in the Quantico incident, citing privacy concerns. Additionally, a public records request for data on individuals on the terrorist watch list who have crossed into the U.S. illegally was denied, again due to privacy considerations.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding immigration, national security, and the use of student visas. It raises pressing questions about how best to balance the openness of the educational system with the need to protect national security. As this story continues to unfold, it will undoubtedly fuel further discussion and policy considerations.