ICE, CBP Dismantle Drug and Financial Scheme, Arrest 36 at LA Nightclub

(LOS ANGELES) In a pre-dawn operation on May 31, 2025, ICE and Homeland Security Investigations raided an alleged underground nightclub in Los Angeles, detaining 36 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals for immigration violations tied to stepped-up federal enforcement.

Authorities say the case is part of broader 2025 directives under President Trump that expand arrests, detention, and financial crime probes. As of August 10, all 36 remain in ICE custody while removal cases move forward. Officials have not announced additional criminal charges.

What we know about the raid

• Date: May 31, 2025
• Location: An alleged underground nightclub in Los Angeles; the site has not been publicly named.
• Arrests: 36 individuals with ties to China and Taiwan detained for immigration violations.
• Agencies involved: HSI Los Angeles led the action with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency group that includes IRS Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the California Department of Justice.
• Related actions: On the same night, ICE staged high-profile workplace raids at San Diego restaurants, detaining several employees for immigration violations.

Officials emphasize the operation targeted both immigration offenses and suspected financial crime. However, as of August, authorities have not publicly added drug or financial charges in the Los Angeles case. The location and club name remain undisclosed.

Current status and due process

• Detention: All 36 people are in ICE custody and in removal proceedings.
• Charges: No extra federal criminal charges have been announced as of August 2025.
• Presumption of innocence: Anyone suspected of a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Important: As of the latest public updates (August), no additional criminal charges have been filed in this matter.

The policy shift driving these actions

2025 brought a sharp change in federal immigration policy. According to officials, DHS directives issued in January expanded the reach of ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This shift ended broad parole programs, restricted humanitarian parole to case-by-case review, and prioritized mass detention.

Key changes:
– Daily arrest quota: ICE agents are operating under a 3,000 daily arrest target.
– Detention policy: Bond hearings were eliminated on July 7, 2025. Detention is automatic unless a court challenge succeeds.
– Legal aid: Federal support for legal aid to minors has been cut.
– Funding surge: In July, Congress and Vice President JD Vance backed an enforcement package that adds $170 billion, including $45 billion for new detention centers and $29.9 billion for ICE operations, effectively tripling ICE’s annual budget.
– Capacity target: Funding now supports daily detention for at least 116,000 non-citizens.

ICE also announced leadership changes in late May. Ken Genalo, the Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, retired after 33 years. ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons praised Genalo’s role in recent enforcement pushes and said new leadership will meet the heightened mandates.

Data points shaping the landscape

How the task force fits in

The El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force partners with HSI Los Angeles and other federal and state agencies to investigate money laundering, tax offenses, and related schemes tied to immigration activity.

• In the nightclub case, agents detained people for illegal presence while gathering potential financial evidence.
• Authorities have not announced further charges in this matter as of August.

Impact on communities

The United States is seeing more large-scale operations in public spaces and workplaces. Community groups report families avoiding nightlife districts, restaurants, and even bus stops when rumors of ICE sweeps spread.

• The surge in detention, together with the end of bond hearings and cuts to legal aid for minors, means more people remain locked up longer, with fewer ways to return home while their cases proceed.
• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the 2025 funding law gives DHS wide spending discretion and few guardrails. Advocates argue this could lead to broader use of mass detention and more high-profile raids in major cities.
• Lawsuits are expected to test the limits of detention policy, legal access, and the removal process in federal courts.

What happens after an arrest like this

Officials describe a standard sequence:

1. Investigation: A multi-agency team flags suspected immigration and financial activity at a site.
2. Enforcement: HSI, ICE, and task force partners execute a planned raid and detain people on immigration grounds.
3. Processing: Detainees go to an ICE facility for identification, status checks, and the start of removal proceedings.
4. Detention and court: Since July 7, 2025, detention is automatic. People may challenge detention or removal in immigration court, but bond hearings have been eliminated.
5. Possible prosecution: If agents find evidence of drug or financial crimes, federal charges can follow. In this nightclub case, none have been announced publicly as of August.

Government and advocacy viewpoints

• Government position: DHS leaders say aggressive enforcement protects public safety, upholds the law, and reduces unlawful entries. Officials point to reduced border encounters this spring as evidence that strict measures can lower crossings.
• Advocates’ concerns: Legal and community groups argue that mass raids harm families and ignore root causes. They warn that limiting legal aid, especially for minors, increases wrongful detention risks and strains immigration courts.
• Legal experts: Attorneys question the end of bond hearings and the broad use of detention. They are preparing challenges to test whether the new rules meet constitutional standards.

Quote-style takeaway: Advocates warn that cuts to legal aid and automatic detention could increase wrongful detentions and place strain on the immigration court system.

Practical guidance for families and employers

• For families:
  • If a loved one is detained, expect immediate placement in ICE custody and the start of removal proceedings.
  • Seek legal counsel promptly and gather identity documents, proof of U.S. ties, and any evidence that may support relief.
• For employers:
  • Audits and raids can occur at worksites and public venues.
  • Keep employment records current and be ready to respond to lawful requests from officers.
• For community members:
  • Stay informed about local enforcement patterns and court dates.
  • Note that humanitarian parole is limited to case-by-case decisions under current policy.

The road ahead

With more funding, a hard arrest target, and expanded authority, ICE and HSI plan more high-profile operations in large metro areas. Congressional oversight may grow as spending questions emerge. Court battles over detention rules, legal access, and parole limits could reshape parts of the system later this year.

Key takeaways

• 36 people detained at a Los Angeles underground nightclub on May 31, 2025; all are in ICE custody in removal proceedings.
• No additional criminal charges announced in this case as of August 10, 2025.
• Bond hearings ended July 7, 2025; detention is automatic unless successfully challenged.
• Funding surge and 3,000 daily arrest target are driving more workplace and community raids.
• Expect more operations by HSI Los Angeles and the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, with ongoing legal challenges likely.