Parents of U.S. Marine Detained by ICE During Camp Pendleton Visit

(SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA) The parents of a U.S. Marine were taken into custody by immigration officers in early October 2025 while trying to visit their pregnant daughter at Camp Pendleton, according to people familiar with the case. The detention, which occurred in San Diego County, highlights a wider pattern this year of stepped-up ICE actions against noncitizen relatives of U.S. service members and veterans. Advocates say such detentions of parents are rising across the country, drawing attention from Congress and adding strain to military families already coping with deployments, relocations, and high-risk jobs.

The father and mother, whose names were not released by officials, were detained as they approached the base to see their daughter and her Marine spouse. ICE officers took them into custody in early October 2025, and they now face immigration proceedings that may include bond requests and future hearings before an immigration judge. The case has unsettled many service families in Southern California, home to one of the largest Marine communities in the United States 🇺🇸.

Federal officials have not said why the couple was targeted or what prompted the stop. But the case follows several policy shifts since early 2024 that ended traditional protections for some military families. The Trump administration announced it would “no longer exempt classes or categories” of migrants from removal, which included family members of service members and veterans. In April 2024, officials also withdrew past guidance that treated military service as a “significant mitigating factor” in enforcement decisions, replacing it with language clarifying that military service alone does not block the consequences of immigration violations. Those changes have led to more arrests, including at or near military facilities.

Enforcement backdrop and shifting policy

Officials and advocates say the number of detained parents, spouses, and other relatives connected to the armed forces has grown since those decisions took effect.

• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, families who once relied on parole in place—a program that let certain undocumented spouses, parents, and children of service members remain in the country while seeking status—are now finding the option harder to access.
• Recruiters reportedly no longer promote the policy as a safety net.
• While parole in place still exists in limited form, it is being used more narrowly, and outcomes depend on the facts of each case.

The policy shift unfolded in two key steps:

1. February 2024: Leaders stated the government would not shield any category of people from possible deportation.
2. April 2024: Prior guidance that weighed military ties heavily in enforcement decisions was rescinded.

Together, these changes sent a message that noncitizen family members—parents like those stopped near Camp Pendleton—are not treated differently from others in ICE custody. As a result, there is no automatic protection today for relatives of Marines, sailors, soldiers, airmen, Guardians, or Coast Guardsmen.

The practical effects are visible across the Southwest and beyond:

• In June 2025, Narciso Barranco, an undocumented father of three U.S. Marines, was detained in California and held for 24 days before release on bond, pending a hearing.
• Around the same time, the wife of a Marine veteran was detained in Yuma, Arizona, and later released while her case proceeded.
• Other reported incidents this year include the detention of a Coast Guardsman’s wife and the deportation of a soldier’s spouse.

Each case turns on individual histories, prior orders, and whether any relief is available.

What happens next for the family and others

For the Camp Pendleton case, ICE actions typically trigger a sequence of administrative steps:

1. Custody review
2. Bond hearing
3. Scheduling with the immigration court

Families often explore relief options such as parole in place, cancellation of removal, or other applications. These options are not guaranteed and depend on personal details such as past entries, prior orders, and any criminal records.

• USCIS hosts information on military-related parole requests here: USCIS: Parole in Place for Military Families

Congressional attention and oversight

Lawmakers have taken notice. In September 2025, dozens of Democratic members of Congress launched an investigation into the treatment of military families in immigration custody. The effort is led by:

• Senators Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth, and Dick Durbin
• Representatives Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Delia Ramirez

They requested that the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon explain the rollback of long-standing practices meant to keep service members focused on duty instead of fearing a midnight knock on the door. Their inquiry seeks data on:

• Arrests
• Detention lengths
• Any guidance given to field offices since the 2024 policy changes

Immediate personal and community impacts

For the families involved, the stakes are immediate and deeply personal.

• A Marine awaiting the birth of a child must now juggle unit responsibilities while worrying about parents held far from home.
• Young spouses on base are organizing rides to court and gathering documents.
• Veterans’ groups and local faith leaders are coordinating childcare and meal trains for impacted households.

Military commanders, who cannot direct immigration outcomes, are urging service members to:

• Speak with base legal offices
• Connect with accredited representatives in the community

Advocates argue detention of parents and other relatives undermines morale and readiness, noting that service members often rely on extended family for newborn care during deployments or training cycles. Critics counter that enforcing removal orders applies the law evenly and protects the integrity of the system. Both sides agree: the rules are complex, and families need clear, reliable information.

Practical steps for families at risk

For those facing similar risks, the following steps can help:

• Keep copies of any prior immigration filings, court orders, and identity documents in a safe place.
• If a relative is detained:
  • Track the case number and facility location
  • Request a custody review
  • Contact a reputable attorney or accredited nonprofit
• Families connected to Camp Pendleton may coordinate with local support networks experienced in these cases.
• Remember that while parole in place remains an option in some settings, outcomes vary and timing can be slow.

Community members in San Diego County expect more stops near bases as officers carry out directives from Washington. Local news outlets, including NBC San Diego, are monitoring developments and posting updates when ICE or DHS release statements.

So far, no timeline has been given for the parents’ first hearing, and it is not clear whether they will be considered for release while their case is pending.

The Camp Pendleton detention underscores how policy language translates into day-to-day life. The daughter expecting a baby wanted her parents close by during a high-risk pregnancy. Instead, she is now managing paperwork, phone calls, and uncertainty.

Similar stories have echoed across the state this year, from Santa Ana to Yuma, as ICE actions continue under the current framework. Whether Congress or DHS will adjust policy again remains to be seen. For now, families are preparing for long cases, careful documentation, and the hope that judges will weigh service to the country alongside the record in front of them.