Hays County Demands ICE Reveal Fate of 49 Detained in April Raid

Local officials and advocates in Hays County, Texas, are demanding that federal authorities release basic information about nearly 50 people taken into custody during an April 1 immigration raid at a rental home near Dripping Springs. ICE, assisted by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety, said it apprehended 47 individuals—later updated to 49—including nine minors and seized unspecified narcotics. All of those detained were described by ICE as being in the United States illegally and were transported to the agency’s Austin resident office for processing. Three months on, county leaders say they still do not know the names, whereabouts or legal status of the detainees. Judge Ruben Becerra has referred to the detentions as “kidnappings,” arguing that federal agencies have provided no evidence to substantiate claims that those arrested were members or associates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Representative Chip Roy has defended the operation on public-safety grounds, while Representatives Greg Casar and Joaquin Castro have formally requested transparency from ICE. Advocates gathered at the Hays County Courthouse on 3 July, placing roses at the entrance to underscore what they call the human toll of the operation. They are pressing Homeland Security officials to confirm whether the detainees have received due-process protections and to explain why families have not been informed of the minors’ locations. ICE has said the case remains under investigation and has declined to provide further details.