U.S. authorities arrested over 100 immigrants suspected of being in the U.S. illegally after raiding an after-hours nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Sunday. This operation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In videos shared by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), agents are seen outside the building, ordering patrons to leave with their hands up. Additionally, other videos showed people fleeing the building after agents smashed a window. Later, dozens of suspects were seen handcuffed on the sidewalk, waiting to be transported.
Criminal Activities at the Club
The nightclub had been under investigation for months due to suspected involvement in drug trafficking, prostitution, and violent crimes. During the raid, authorities seized cocaine and firearms. Jonathan Pullen, head of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division, stated that the operation made Colorado Springs safer. “Colorado Springs is waking up to a safer community today,” he said.
📢 Prior to entering the underground nightclub in CO Springs this am, #DEA RMFD Special Agents announced their presence.
>200 people were inside – at least 114 in the U.S. illegally.
In addition, more than a dozen active duty military were patrons or security guards. pic.twitter.com/zNiDAZeDYw— DEARockyMountain (@DEAROCKYMTNDiv) April 27, 2025
Trump’s Immigration Enforcement
This raid is part of former President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Trump’s administration has enforced strict policies, including detaining over 1,000 international students. Consequently, these policies have led to a significant slowdown of immigration at the southern border.
Military Members Among Those Arrested
At the time of the raid, over 200 people were inside the nightclub. Among those arrested, a dozen active-duty military members were either patrons or working as armed security. Additionally, some patrons were arrested for outstanding warrants. However, Pullen did not disclose the countries of origin for the detained immigrants.
Legal Challenges to Deportations
Earlier this month, a federal judge temporarily blocked deportations under Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. As a result, this ruling may have an impact on the detained immigrants’ future.
Trump later posted a link to the DEA raid video on Truth Social, describing it as a “big raid on some of the worst people illegally in our country—drug dealers, murderers, and other violent criminals.”
