Memphis Club Raid Turns into Immigration Sweep
A Memphis nightclub raid on August 30 led to the arrest of 121 people, mostly for immigration violations, despite the initial search warrant being issued for illegal slot machines and narcotics. According to journalarta.com, Tennessee's Bureau of Investigation had obtained the warrant for El Corralón, a bar in the city's Berclair neighborhood.
The raid began just before 1 a.m., with state agents and federal officers shutting down the music and blocking traffic on both sides of the building. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents moved directly toward gaming machines lined up along the club's walls, while the Department of Homeland Security joined the scene as part of 'Operation Corral Light.'
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recovered narcotics and evidence tied to illegal gambling but declined to give specifics, citing an ongoing investigation. Detainees were restrained with cable ties and loaded onto buses bound for ICE detention facilities.