MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - More than 100 people were detained during an operation by ICE and other state and federal agencies at a nightclub in Highland Heights, according to witnesses and advocacy groups.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said agents were executing a search warrant at a business on Macon Road. ICE described the action as a targeted enforcement operation.
Witnesses said more than 100 patrons and employees at El Corralón were detained and sent away in buses and vans, separating them from their families.
“To see the kids get in the middle of the street, crying for their parents, saying ‘Mom, Dad, let them go. That’s the only thing that I have.’ That was really, really breaking my heart,” said Reina Avina, who witnessed the operation.
A crowd of onlookers gathered outside El Corralón after members of the community were alerted to the operation.
“Close people from our families were there, so we got a call and we immediately showed up,” said Erika Alegria, who witnessed the operation.
“It was around a hundred to a hundred and twenty people because it was three buses loaded with people and two vans,” Avina said.
State and federal agencies have not shared what the operation was for. Immigration advocacy groups at the scene said agents arrived with a search warrant to investigate illegal gambling machines and drug activity.
“They had a warrant. They could’ve just shut down the business, taken the owner, and that would’ve ended a whole different way,” said Jose Salazar, a community advocate.
Protesters demonstrated Sunday afternoon on Summer Avenue. Some said the actions by ICE agents did more harm than good.
“It was a lot of tension. The ICE officers were mocking and making fun of the people there. They weren’t making anything better. They even pulled out guns on us,” Salazar said.
Others said they watched as mothers and fathers were separated from their children.
“This is heavy for everyone, seeing all them kids crying, see little kids say, ‘Today’s my birthday. Today was supposed to be a good day. Why do bad things keep happening to us? Is it because of our color?’ Little kids are saying this!” Alegria said.
Community advocates said the only people known to have been released had proof of citizenship with them when they were detained.
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