Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed two major highway enforcement operations in South Carolina targeting criminal illegal aliens in partnership with state law enforcement.
Roadside and checkpoint-style actions aimed to apprehend individuals with convictions or charges ICE deemed serious enough to prioritize for arrest and removal. South Carolina agencies provided officers and logistical support under cooperative agreements with federal immigration authorities.
Highway operations allow ICE to encounter suspects during transit rather than at residences or workplaces. Advocates for immigrants warned that profiling risks affect lawful residents and undocumented workers without criminal records who happen to be passengers.
South Carolina has aligned with federal enforcement more closely than some states that restrict local participation. Completed operations typically yield tallies of arrests publicized to demonstrate enforcement capacity.
Those detained face immigration court proceedings and possible transfer to removal centres in other states. Highway interdictions remain a recurring tactic in ICE’s interior enforcement strategy across the southern United States.
South Carolina highway patrol units assisted ICE in identifying vehicles and occupants matching lookout lists developed from prior immigration court orders. Detainees from the operations were processed at regional holding sites before transfer to removal centres depending on case status.
ICE said the South Carolina highway operations focused on individuals with outstanding removal orders rather than random traffic stops of motorists.
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Sources:
https://www.ice.gov/newsroom