Texas Birthday Party Mistaken for Gang Meeting by ICE — 47 People Arrested, Including Several Children
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Texas ended in controversy when 47 people, including nine children, were arrested during a raid targeting what authorities believed was a gathering of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua members.
However, according to an investigation by Latin Times, the event was actually a child’s birthday party. The investigation found no gang members were present, contradicting claims made by immigration authorities.
The March raid occurred early in the morning at a house rented for the celebration. Federal agents, accompanied by Texas law enforcement, used flashbang grenades to enter the residence, according to Latin Times.
Families at the party were thrown into panic. One witness reported shouting repeatedly that babies were in the house, but agents still deployed the devices inside, believing they were disrupting a Tren de Aragua meeting, Latin Times reported.
The Trump administration initially defended the operation as part of a strategic crackdown on the Venezuelan gang. However, several weeks after the raid, no connection could be established between the detainees and criminal activity. Latin Times confirmed that none of those arrested had gang affiliations or criminal records.
One man present told the Texas Tribune he was celebrating both his son’s fifth birthday and a friend’s 28th birthday. According to him, ICE agents targeted him because of tattoos they deemed suspicious. He explained that the tattoos—stars—had no gang affiliation and were designs he had gotten as a teenager, Latin Times reported.
While authorities have not publicly released the detainees’ names, the Texas Tribune identified 35 of them, most of whom were Venezuelan immigrants, according to Latin Times. Many spent several weeks in detention before being released with ankle monitors.
One child reportedly missed so many school days while in custody that they were removed from their public school, Latin Times noted.
No criminal charges were filed against anyone at the party, which became a traumatic event due to law enforcement’s misjudgment.
The incident raises serious questions about ICE’s methods and the speed with which such operations are conducted. For the families involved, the consequences remain real and lasting—a day meant to bring joy instead brought fear and disruption they will never forget.
