More Than 120 Undocumented Immigrants Arrested at Memphis Nightclub
(Washington, D.C. = Alex Walczak) More than 120 undocumented immigrants were arrested during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation at a nightclub in Memphis, Tennessee, federal authorities announced.
The operation was conducted as part of “Operation Corral Light,” an enforcement initiative led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security.
On Aug. 30, ICE New Orleans arrested 121 undocumented immigrants at El Corralon, a nightclub in Memphis. According to federal authorities, some of those arrested had criminal histories that included theft, drug possession, domestic violence, driving under the influence, child endangerment and prostitution-related offenses.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin credited the Trump administration’s enforcement policies with reducing crime in Memphis and said the operation resulted in the arrests of more than 120 undocumented immigrants in a single day, including individuals with criminal histories involving child abuse, drug trafficking and violent offenses.
Mullin also praised ICE personnel involved in the operation, saying their enforcement efforts were helping remove individuals who pose threats to public safety.
“This criminal enforcement operation is focused on arresting illegal aliens and removing drug activity from our communities,” said Scott Ladwig, deputy field office director for ICE New Orleans Enforcement and Removal Operations.
“Our mission is to professionally enforce the law, protect public safety and uphold the trust the American people have placed in us,” Ladwig said.
Among those arrested, according to federal authorities, were Ricardo N. Rodriguez Arteaga of Honduras, Sergio Vieyra Torres of Mexico and Maryari Pamela Lopez Urivina of Honduras. Authorities said the individuals had criminal histories that included offenses such as theft, child endangerment and aggravated assault.
The federal government, meanwhile, is continuing to encourage undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the United States through a self-deportation program that offers $2,600 and a complimentary flight to eligible participants.
DHS has urged people who are unlawfully present in the United States to take advantage of the program, warning that those who remain could face arrest and removal.
The Memphis operation is part of the federal government’s continuing immigration enforcement and public-safety efforts, with similar enforcement actions expected to continue.
