Federal agents coordinating with various state agencies intensified their focus on allegations of drug trafficking and financial fraud following attacks on eight Mexican restaurants in Alabama.

However, Birmingham Migra Watch, part of an Alabama coalition advocating for immigrant rights, criticized the operation as a “fake flag” aimed at fulfilling President Trump’s heightened demands for deportations.

In a statement following the raid, the group claimed, “The mass immigration raids on Tuesday were inaccurately presented as drug and money laundering operations across five counties. This represents a significant failure in the supposed goal of protecting public safety. The operation employed hundreds of agents, utilized millions in taxpayer funds, involved years of planning, and launched 14 coordinated attacks. In one site alone, we discovered $100,000 in restaurant cash, some drugs, and firearms.”

Federal agents explained that the operation was primarily a manhunt for Lee County resident Cesar Campos Reyes, leading them to search multiple homes and the eight restaurants targeted statewide. Despite these efforts, Campos Reyes was not captured during the raid; he later surrendered on Tuesday evening. Prior to the manhunt, prosecutors had already filed sealed charges against him related to bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, alleging that he misappropriated funds from Covid relief programs.

Birmingham Migra Watch expressed anger at the raids, noting, “They orchestrated a simultaneous attack under the guise of ‘public safety,’ but in reality, they instigated fear and chaos across the state. We are outraged over the detention of more than 40 essential restaurant workers, which disrupts countless lives and separates families once again.”

They further contended that these operations are deceptive and reinforce the inhumane detention practices imposed by the Trump administration, suggesting that immigrants are being used as scapegoats for broader economic issues.

During the operation, three individuals were placed in federal custody, while ICE took 48 people into custody for deportation.

The federal agents vaguely claimed that a “transnational organized entity” was behind the activities but provided no concrete evidence to support their assertion.

“This operation was not just about a single crime; it was aimed at dismantling an entire ecosystem of criminal activity that exploits people and evades U.S. laws,” they explained. “These crimes negatively impact not only those directly involved but also communities at large. They jeopardize legitimate businesses and strain public resources. While the employment of individuals without work permits may seem like a labor issue, it’s more complicated than that.”

Despite framing these concerns as related to public safety, the only clear victims in this situation seem to be the employees themselves.

Campos-Reyes is set to appear in federal court today in Montgomery.