Multiple Texas Raids, Dallas Club Sweep Arrests 41

Federal immigration and law enforcement agencies carried out multiple enforcement actions in Texas in late September, including ICE’s Laredo “Operation Pick Off” (Sept. 25–26) and an HSI-led raid at Chicas Bonitas Cabaret in Dallas (Sept. 26). Operation Pick Off’s Laredo leg resulted in 28 arrests, 23 with prior convictions — including one individual alleged to have reentered after serving an 18-year sentence for murder — and adds to August sweeps in McAllen and Brownsville that yielded over 80 arrests. The Dallas raid executed a criminal search warrant at Chicas Bonitas, seized about $30,000 and business records, and took 41 undocumented people into custody; ICE says 29 are suspected of working unlawfully. HSI Dallas said the operation targeted suspected human/sex trafficking and unlawful employment, and that agents — supported by Dallas PD and the Texas DPS — are working to identify potential victims and pursue a criminal investigation while ICE processes immigration violations. ICE noted several Dallas detainees have prior convictions (assault, DUI, prostitution) and included individuals with repeated illegal entries. U.S. attorneys have criticized state probation practices that can keep criminal noncitizens in the community after conviction, and local advocacy groups such as the North Texas Brown Berets are assisting families as agencies continue processing detainees.