36 Chinese, Taiwanese Nationals Arrested in California Underground Nightclub Raid
Federal immigration agents arrested 36 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals early Friday morning during a raid on an alleged underground nightclub operating in Southern California.
The operation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles in coordination with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force. According to a statement shared on social media, those taken into custody were arrested for being illegally present in the United States.
“Early this morning, HSI Los Angeles with @EROLosAngeles and partners from the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force conducted an enforcement operation in an underground nightclub,” HSI Los Angeles posted on X. “36 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals were arrested for being illegally present in the U.S.”
Video released by the agency showed federal agents conducting the raid at night, followed by daytime footage of detainees seated on a sidewalk before being transported in white vans.
Officials have not disclosed the exact location or name of the nightclub. Fox News Digital reported that further requests for comment were not immediately returned by ICE.
The arrests come amid a broader realignment of ICE leadership and enforcement strategy. On Thursday, ICE announced that Ken Genalo, Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, will retire after 33 years of service. Genalo will continue to work with ICE as a special government employee assisting field office directors.
“Genalo has served in this acting capacity to help meet the mandate set forth by the American people — his contributions were integral in the successes we’re seeing today,” said ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons in a statement.
With input from Fox News.
