LWVCA Statement on ICE Raid in Charleston County on June 1

LWVCA Statement on ICE Raid in Charleston County on June 1

Type: 
Public Statement
Date of Release or Mention: 
Friday, June 6, 2025

The ICE raids that have shaken communities across the country hit home on June 1. Law enforcement agencies conducted a “targeted operation” on a local bar in Ladson with a largely Hispanic clientele. Eighty people were arrested; at least 70 of them were “administrative arrests,” meaning there are no criminal charges, only a civil violation of immigration laws. These people were all taken to a detention center in Georgia. To be clear, several criminal arrests were made; the officers apprehended a murder suspect, and confiscated large amounts of drugs along with two suspected drug cartel members. The bar owner was charged with illegally serving minors and for a lack of licenses, and is accused of running a nuisance operation for years. Two hundred law enforcement officers were on site - a massive show of force - and 14 federal and state agencies, including the Charleston Sheriff’s Office, were involved in the operation. We support the lawful arrests of those involved in these specific criminal activities, regardless of their immigration status, and ask law enforcement to be transparent about these criminal proceedings.

However, we have concerns that the 35-minute press conference given on June 2 and some subsequent media coverage give the impression that most of the bar’s patrons were involved in criminal activities and that immigrants in general are responsible for a lot of the drugs and crimes in our communities. The speakers, who included Governor Henry McMaster, followed a long and troubling pattern of demonizing immigrants. Homeland Security Agent Morant’s statement suggested that all 200+ people at the bar were part of a “cartel after-party” although only two people were arrested on drug-related charges. 

The LWV does not support this rhetoric or the negative results it yields. Turning peaceful immigrants (who otherwise abide by our country’s rules and contribute to the fabric of our society and economy) into scapegoats keeps us from solving real problems and creates new ones. Accusations of rampant criminal behavior among immigrants are often paired with blame for negative economic impacts. In fact, in 2023 immigrants contributed $3 billion in taxes and represented $10 billion in annual spending power to the SC economy. They comprise almost 20% of agricultural workers, 18% of construction workers, and 12% of STEM workers in this state. They are net contributors (not ‘takers’) to the SC economy (American Immigration Council). 

And if Charleston Sheriff Carl Ritchie is taken at his word, we should expect more operations of this scale in Charleston County. After being elected, he made the controversial decision to rejoin the ICE 287(g) Immigration program, which allows local law enforcement officers to perform immigration functions. League members who would like to be ready should use the following resources to learn more and stay up-to-date. Please let us know if you would like to help us follow this issue. 

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League to which this content belongs: 
The Charleston Area