ICE agents swiftly raided an underground Los Angeles nightclub, arresting 36 illegal aliens from China and Taiwan as the agency undergoes leadership changes to strengthen President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.
Key Takeaways
- ICE arrested 36 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals during a raid on an unlicensed underground nightclub in Los Angeles
- The operation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in collaboration with the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force
- ICE announced a “leadership realignment” with the retirement of Ken Genalo, Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, after 33 years of service
- The raid is part of President Trump’s broader immigration enforcement efforts, though specific details about the nightclub and its location remain undisclosed
ICE Cracks Down on Illegal Aliens at Underground Los Angeles Venue
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents executed a decisive raid on an unlicensed nightclub in Los Angeles, apprehending 36 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals who were illegally present in the United States. The enforcement action, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles in partnership with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Los Angeles, demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws. The operation, part of a collaborative effort with the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, took place early morning and resulted in multiple arrests of foreign nationals who had no legal right to be in the country.
“Early this morning, HSI Los Angeles w/ @EROLosAngeles & partners from the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force conducted an enforcement operation in an underground nightclub, 36 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals were arrested for being illegally present in the U.S.,” stated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies.
36 Chinese, Taiwanese nationals arrested after ICE raids underground nightclub in Los Angeles https://t.co/Cs7wdc5b4s
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 1, 2025
Enforcement Details Remain Limited as Social Media Footage Circulates
Despite the high-profile nature of the operation, ICE has declined to disclose the name and exact location of the underground nightclub where the arrests took place. Video footage of the enforcement action has been widely shared on social media, showing ICE agents processing the illegal aliens. The circumstances that led authorities to target this specific venue remain unclear, as does information about whether the individuals were permanent residents or temporary visitors. The nightclub’s designation as an “underground” or “unlicensed” establishment suggests potential violations beyond immigration law, though specific criminal charges have not been publicly detailed.
This raid follows other recent enforcement actions in Southern California, including arrests related to COVID loan fraud schemes, highlighting the administration’s multi-pronged approach to law enforcement. All arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, though they face potential deportation based on their immigration status violations. The lack of transparency regarding the nightclub’s identity has sparked speculation about whether additional operations might be planned at similar venues known to attract foreign nationals with questionable immigration status.
ICE Leadership Changes Signal Strengthened Enforcement
Concurrent with the nightclub raid, ICE announced significant leadership changes that reinforce President Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities. Ken Genalo, the Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, will be retiring after 33 years of dedicated service to the agency. Despite his retirement from his current position, Genalo will continue to contribute to ICE’s mission as a special government employee working directly with field office directors, ensuring continuity in the agency’s enforcement operations during this transition period.
“Genalo has served in this acting capacity to help meet the mandate set forth by the American people — his contributions were integral in the successes we’re seeing today. He’s now going to serve as a special government employee working with field office directors within ICE. I can’t thank him enough,” said ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons.
The leadership realignment comes at a critical time as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration enforcement efforts across the country. These organizational changes are designed to streamline operations and enhance ICE’s ability to identify, apprehend, and remove illegal aliens present in the United States. The timing of this leadership transition alongside high-profile enforcement actions like the Los Angeles nightclub raid demonstrates the administration’s strategic approach to immigration enforcement, fulfilling campaign promises to secure the border and enforce existing immigration laws that had been neglected under previous administrations.
