County Fight Contested

Charleston County SC — Racial Profiling in ICE Traffic Stop Operations

Charleston County, SC FIPS 45019

Current status: ACLU documented racial profiling in Nov 2025 traffic stop operation; SCHP admitted providing troopers for ICE; community opposition growing but no legal challenge filed yet.

Summary

On November 3, 2025, a coordinated ICE enforcement operation in North Charleston used South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers to conduct pretextual traffic stops that witnesses described as targeting “exclusively Latino-appearing drivers.” This represents the most documented case of racial profiling in SC’s 287(g) expansion and is cited by the ACLU-SC as a key example in their campaign against H.4764 (the forced 287(g) participation bill).

Timeline

March 10, 2025: Charleston County Sheriff’s Office signs 287(g) WSO agreement with ICE.
June 1, 2025: Operation Last Stand — 80 arrests in nightclub raid (ICE/SLED/Charleston Sheriff).
August 2025: SC Department of Public Safety (including SCHP) requests to participate in 287(g).
November 3, 2025: ICE enforcement operation in North Charleston along Rivers Avenue and Remount Road.
- SCHP provides two state troopers to conduct traffic stops.
- Witness: SLED appeared to pull over “exclusively Latino-appearing drivers.”
- SLED blocked traffic to target specific drivers; non-targeted cars allowed through.
- ICE moved in with unmarked vehicles after troopers made stops.
November 2025: Reports of construction site enforcement activity across Richland County.
March-April 2026: ACLU-SC publishes “5 Ugly Facts” report citing Charleston operations; opposes H.4764.
April 1-2, 2026: South Carolina House passes H.4764 (forced 287(g) collaboration) — initial Apr 1 vote 85-30, third reading Apr 2 vote 84-26. Bill would require every SC law enforcement agency operating a correctional facility to enter a 287(g) collaboration agreement, and require SLED to develop an “illegal immigration enforcement training program.” Now pending in the Senate Committee on Judiciary as of early May 2026.
April 14, 2026: Community tip — ICE operation reported near Cosgrove Bridge in North Charleston. “Masked officers taking multiple Hispanic males into custody.” Photos submitted showing law enforcement vehicles. Pattern consistent with prior traffic stop operations. (GitHub tip #35, Carolina Courier via Facebook)
April 29, 2026: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduces federal bill to “boost ICE partnerships” — explicitly federalizing the H.4764 mandate model. Indicates the SC effort is functioning as a state-level template the senior senator is now adapting nationally.

Community Impact

Immigrant communities report fear of routine activities (driving, shopping, going to work).
School districts noted plummeting attendance by students from Latine communities at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
Studies show immigrant crime victims become less willing to report crimes in 287(g) jurisdictions.
The Charleston immigrant community held events decrying the nightclub raid and traffic stop operations.

Why It Matters

The North Charleston operation is significant because it demonstrates the operational reality of what the ACLU calls “show me your papers” enforcement: state troopers acting as the legal pretext for stops, with ICE agents waiting to move in. If traffic stops are being used as pretextual enforcement based on racial appearance, it represents a systematic Fourth Amendment and equal protection violation — not just an isolated incident. The ACLU’s documentation of this operation is a key piece of evidence in the fight against H.4764, which would make such operations mandatory statewide.

Sources

This research is published at The RAMM — investigative reporting on the detention pipeline.

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