Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles confirmed that 36 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals were taken into custody after a raid on a secret nightclub in Southern California.
Early Friday morning, HSI and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Los Angeles carried out the operation with support from the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force. A post on X (formerly Twitter) from ICE stated:
“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.”
The shared video captures nighttime footage of the raid and transitions to daytime shots showing a group of detainees seated on a sidewalk before being transported in white vans.
Image Caption: Some of the 36 individuals arrested during the raid at a Los Angeles underground nightclub on May 30, 2025. (@HSILosAngeles / X)
ICE hasn’t released further details about the operation, and a Fox News Digital request for comment hasn’t been answered. The nightclub’s name and exact location remain undisclosed.
Image Caption: One of the individuals detained in the May 30 ICE raid at the Los Angeles “underground nightclub.” (@HSILosAngeles / X)
Just a day before the arrests, ICE announced a shift in leadership amid expanded enforcement actions. Ken Genalo, the Acting Executive Associate Director of ERO, is retiring after 33 years of service.
Image Caption: A group of Chinese and Taiwanese nationals sit on the sidewalk after being detained by ICE for unlawful presence in the U.S. (@HSILosAngeles / X)
“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,” said ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons. “He’s now going to serve as a special government employee working with field office directors within ICE. I can’t thank him enough.”