PHOENIX, AZ – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alongside other federal agencies, executed a series of raids earlier in January targeting Zipps Sports Grill locations across the Phoenix area, culminating in nearly three dozen arrests.
On January 26th, ICE along with Homeland Security and Border Patrol agents executed a series of search warrants across Phoenix Valley locations of Zipps Sports Grill, which said chain touts itself as a “family-owned and operated” eatery with 14 locations throughout Phoenix. Reportedly 35 people were arrested by federal agents during the raids, with the enforcement action generating a handful of protests in their wake.
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs issued a statement a day after the raids, making reference to the recent incidents in Minnesota while also alleging that she trying to ascertain the “purpose and scope” of the conducted raids.
“I share the feelings of many Arizonans who are devastated by the horrific killing of protestors in Minnesota, and understand the fear and pain it has created in our communities. We are in contact with federal officials and still gathering information on the purpose and scope of the raid,” the governor’s statement read in part.
Despite Governor Hobbs’ claims of ambiguity surrounding the purpose of the federal raids, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) issued a statement noting the aforementioned raids were conducted due to suspected cases of identity theft, document fraud, as well as alleged immigration violations. Details on those arrested during the operation have yet to be released by officials.
Zipps Sports Grill issued a statement on the matter, emphasizing that the owners are fully cooperating with federal authorities while adding that they cannot comment further due to the “ongoing” circumstances.
“We have seen the statement attributed to ICE. At this time, Zipps has not been provided with any charging documents or detailed information beyond what has been publicly released by federal authorities. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Because the matter is ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further,” the statement from the company reads.
A similar enforcement action targeting a southern Arizona eatery chain occurred this past December, as previously reported by Law Enforcement Today, with several raids across Tucson and Sierra Vista locations of Taco Giro netting dozens of arrests.
On January 26th, ICE along with Homeland Security and Border Patrol agents executed a series of search warrants across Phoenix Valley locations of Zipps Sports Grill, which said chain touts itself as a “family-owned and operated” eatery with 14 locations throughout Phoenix. Reportedly 35 people were arrested by federal agents during the raids, with the enforcement action generating a handful of protests in their wake.
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs issued a statement a day after the raids, making reference to the recent incidents in Minnesota while also alleging that she trying to ascertain the “purpose and scope” of the conducted raids.
“I share the feelings of many Arizonans who are devastated by the horrific killing of protestors in Minnesota, and understand the fear and pain it has created in our communities. We are in contact with federal officials and still gathering information on the purpose and scope of the raid,” the governor’s statement read in part.
Despite Governor Hobbs’ claims of ambiguity surrounding the purpose of the federal raids, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) issued a statement noting the aforementioned raids were conducted due to suspected cases of identity theft, document fraud, as well as alleged immigration violations. Details on those arrested during the operation have yet to be released by officials.
Zipps Sports Grill issued a statement on the matter, emphasizing that the owners are fully cooperating with federal authorities while adding that they cannot comment further due to the “ongoing” circumstances.
“We have seen the statement attributed to ICE. At this time, Zipps has not been provided with any charging documents or detailed information beyond what has been publicly released by federal authorities. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Because the matter is ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further,” the statement from the company reads.
A similar enforcement action targeting a southern Arizona eatery chain occurred this past December, as previously reported by Law Enforcement Today, with several raids across Tucson and Sierra Vista locations of Taco Giro netting dozens of arrests.
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