2 days ago
Immigration advocates say Charleston County sting operation unfairly targeted Latinos and Hispanics
North Charleston, S.C. (WCBD) — A massive sting operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies has come under scrutiny after immigrant advocacy groups and faith leaders raised concerns about civil rights violations during the arrests.
Earlier this week, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office—along with Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other agencies carried out 'Operation Last Stand,' arresting 80 people in a raid in Ladson.
Officials say the raid focused on a location known as The Alamo, which had reportedly been under surveillance for a year due to suspected criminal activity. Authorities claim they arrested two high-level cartel members and an international murder suspect.
But community members and immigrant advocates argue the sweep went too far.
'The narrative from the sheriff, governor, and attorney general is that they're targeting violent criminals,' said Will McCorkle, with the Charleston Immigrant Coalition. 'What they quickly overlook are the innocent people who were detained and are now facing deportation for no real purpose.'
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During a press conference held by local advocacy groups, speakers said many of those arrested were not involved in criminal activity and were instead racially profiled and swept up in a broader operation without just cause.
'Let me be clear. We do not condone criminal activity,' said Dulce Lopez, Civil Rights Strategist for the ACLU of South Carolina. 'But no one deserves to be criminalized by simply existing in communities and places. No one should be treated as guilty by association.'
Some individuals present at the club that night allege they were lined up and questioned based on appearance alone.
'It didn't matter what we showed them,' said Alejandar Delaveea, an immigrant advocate who was there. 'They refused to believe our IDs were valid. People were lined up by skin color. Those with tattoos were separated and questioned as potential gang members.'
Advocates are calling on the Charleston County Sheriff's Office to release the full incident report and provide clarity on how decisions were made during the raid. Many also demand the department cut ties with ICE to rebuild trust within the Hispanic and Latino communities.
'Charleston County's decision to align itself with ICE is a destructive one,' said McCorkle. 'It's already torn families apart and will continue to damage the trust between law enforcement and the people they're supposed to protect.'
News 2 reached out to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office regarding these concerns, and the department has not commented on the allegations.
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