A law enforcement raid at the Alamo nightclub in Charleston County on Sunday resulted in at least 80 arrests, leaving the local immigrant community shaken and fearful.
Many of those detained are undocumented immigrants. Community members argue that not all were involved in criminal activity and say some faced unfair treatment during the operation.
Department of Homeland Security officials described the event as a “cartel gathering.” However, Destiny Tinoco, a frequent visitor to the nightclub, expressed surprise upon learning it was operating illegally.
“The whole thing made me very anxious. I’m still shaken up,” Tinoco said.
At the time of the raid, Tinoco and her friends were celebrating a birthday outside the crowded club when officers suddenly entered.
“They seemed to be rounding everyone up,” she said. “No one was allowed to leave. Eventually, we were directed to exit through a specific door for ID checks and searches.”
Authorities confirmed that more than 66 of those arrested were residing in the U.S. without legal authorization. Five individuals face criminal charges, and at least two are allegedly connected to dangerous international gangs, though their identities have not been publicly released.
Fernando Soto, founder of the Spanish-language news outlet Nuestro Estrado, questioned the lack of transparency regarding the alleged high-level suspects.
“We still have many unanswered questions about why the names and photos of these individuals haven’t been shared,” Soto said.
He added that the raid has instilled fear throughout the Latino community.
“It’s making people afraid to go out for fun or even get up for work in the morning,” Soto said. “Several businesses closed on Sunday as a result.”
Tinoco also reported experiencing racial profiling during the operation.
“People in front of me who didn’t look like me had their IDs quickly glanced at and were released,” she said. “But my ID was checked by two officers with flashlights.”
Local advocates like Soto are now working to provide resources to affected families and to ensure fair legal procedures.
“In a state like South Carolina, where language barriers exist, it’s crucial that people understand their rights and know they can contact a lawyer,” Soto emphasized.
One such resource is Charleston Legal Access, a nonprofit serving the Lowcountry region, which assists families in locating detained individuals—a major concern following the raid.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office stated the investigation is ongoing and has permanently closed the Alamo nightclub.
Despite official statements, many in the community remain anxious and uncertain about what comes next.
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