Federal Immigration Agents Raid Texas Used Clothing Stores And Detain Several Residents

As federal immigration raids continue to target communities across the United States, local media in McAllen, Texas, reported that at least six locations in the city were raided by federal agents as part of what authorities described as a criminal investigation.

The investigation began Thursday in an area of McAllen where used clothing businesses are located. The raids were led by agents with Homeland Security Investigations, with support from Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, who blocked the entrance to one of the buildings during the investigation, according to Channel 5 News.

During the raids, several masked HSI and Border Patrol agents were seen in the area. Some individuals who were apprehended were released after presenting U.S. birth certificates, while others were taken into custody and transported by bus.

Channel 5 News reported that three buses filled with people left the area. Sergio Carvallo, an employee at one of the raided stores, said most of those detained were shoppers.

"The only thing they told me was that they don't know if the detainees will be taken to McAllen," a witness told Noticias Telemundo. "Those with visas, residency, or citizenship will be released little by little. Everyone else will be taken away."

According to Telemundo, one of the businesses raided belongs to the wife of McAllen City Commissioner Rodolfo Castillo. Authorities also searched Castillo's home during the operation.

Rick Salinas, Castillo's attorney, said his client was detained and that he had no details regarding the arrest.

"It's just way too early to start passing judgment on what he did or didn't do," Salinas told Valley Central 4.

Castillo and his wife own Oro Ropa Usada, a used clothing store in McAllen, according to records filed with the Texas Secretary of State's Office. Castillo could not be reached for comment, as reported by the outlet.

Telemundo also noted that this is not the first time federal immigration authorities have targeted used clothing businesses.

In March, a similar operation occurred in the city of Hidalgo, where an unknown number of people were removed from the area by bus. A witness told Telemundo 40 that during that incident, federal agents lined people up for hours, read several names from a list, and those who were on the list were taken onto the buses.