Homeland Security raid on Zipps sparks protests and ICE fears

The big picture: Homeland Security Investigations agents were serving federal search warrants as part of a "long-term criminal investigation" into "felony violations of federal law," according to a post on X from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona. Fifteen Phoenix locations were served, per the post.

• Lennea Montandon, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for Arizona, emphasized to Axios that the operation was not an ICE sweep.

Driving the news: Axios witnessed agents outside of the Zipps at Park Central and in Ahwatukee. News reports and social media posts showed agents at the sports bar's Scottsdale, north central Phoenix and downtown Tempe locations as well.

State of play: At least 200 protesters gathered at the Park Central location, chanting, "Shame on you!" and other slogans, and shouting at agents as they left.

• After more than an hour inside the restaurant, agents left with what appeared to be several black plastic containers on a dolly.
• At one point, two agents appeared to be unable to get into their SUV, and a group of protesters gathered around them, yelling and jeering.
• About 15 minutes later, about a dozen HSI agents wearing gas masks arrived with lights and sirens activated on their vehicles. They cleared the area, and the remaining agents left the area shortly afterward.

Zoom in: Attorney Juliana Manzanarez, who was with a group of volunteers and activists at the scene, told Axios that she'd spoken with some of the workers inside Zipps.

• The employees said agents came in abruptly around 4:15pm and told people they were with federal enforcement and were there to look at documents and talk to people.
• Some workers were initially detained but later released.

What's next: "Additional information will be forthcoming over the next few days as evidence is evaluated for charging as appropriate," per the U.S. Attorney's Office social media post.