Immigration authorities detained nearly 100 people and arrested more than 50 of them in a massive immigration raid Thursday in Tennessee.
According to local news reports, 97 people were targeted in the raid carried out by agents from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Of that number, 54 people were ultimately placed into custody.
Nashville's Fox 17 News reported that the raid took place at Southeastern Provision's meatpacking plant in Bean Station, Tennessee.
ICE public affairs officer Tammy Spicer told the news station that officials had a federal search warrant.
Homeland Security Investigations "encountered 97 individuals who are subject to removal from the United States," Spicer said. "Ten of those encountered were arrested on federal criminal charges, one was arrested on state charges and 86 were arrested on administrative charges. Of the 86 administrative arrests placed in removal proceedings, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) placed 54 in detention and 32 were released from custody."
Spicer told The News Sentinel, "Those individuals who are determined to be subject to removal will be administratively arrested and placed in removal proceedings."
The Washington Post cited the National Immigration Law Center as saying the raid was the largest since the administration of former President George W. Bush.
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