About a dozen Horry County residents gathered Saturday at the county government complex in Conway to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies following the recent fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman by an ICE officer.

The demonstrators lined the front steps of the government building with flags and banners as part of a nationwide series of protests targeting federal immigration enforcement practices. The local action comes as South Carolina communities grapple with federal immigration policies that affect local law enforcement and government operations.

The Minneapolis shooting that sparked the protests occurred when ICE officers attempted to serve a warrant, according to federal officials. The incident has renewed scrutiny of ICE enforcement tactics nationwide and prompted protests in multiple states.

“We’re here because what happened in Minneapolis could happen anywhere,” said Maria Rodriguez, a Conway resident who helped organize the local demonstration. “Our communities deserve accountability from federal agencies operating in our neighborhoods.”

The protesters called for increased oversight of ICE operations and demanded transparency in how federal immigration enforcement intersects with local law enforcement. Several carried signs reading “Justice for All” and “End ICE Violence.”

Horry County’s participation reflects broader tensions over federal immigration policy in South Carolina, where local governments must balance federal requirements with community concerns. The issue has affected Politics & Government discussions across the state as municipalities navigate relationships with federal agencies.

County officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the demonstration or the county’s policies regarding cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The protest remained peaceful throughout the two-hour demonstration, with participants gathering on public property outside the government complex. No arrests were reported, and county security monitored the event without incident.

Similar demonstrations took place in cities across the country Saturday, including larger gatherings in Atlanta and Charlotte. Organizers said the coordinated protests aimed to pressure Congress to investigate ICE practices and increase funding for community-based immigration programs.

South Carolina has seen sporadic immigration-related protests in recent years, though Saturday’s Horry County gathering was smaller than demonstrations in Charleston and Columbia. The rural coastal county has experienced steady population growth, including increases in immigrant communities working in tourism and agriculture sectors.

Local immigration advocacy groups have reported increased concern among immigrant families following recent federal enforcement actions in the region. The groups say they have documented cases of ICE operations affecting families with mixed immigration status.

“People are scared, and they have every right to be,” Rodriguez said. “When federal agents can shoot and kill someone during what should be a routine enforcement action, that affects everyone’s sense of safety.”

The demonstrators also criticized what they called inadequate oversight of federal immigration enforcement. They pointed to limited public information about ICE operations in South Carolina and called for greater transparency in federal agency activities.

Federal officials maintain that ICE officers follow established protocols during enforcement actions and that the Minneapolis incident remains under investigation. The agency has defended its enforcement practices as necessary for public safety and immigration law compliance.

Saturday’s protest organizers said they plan additional actions if federal officials do not address their concerns about ICE accountability. They called for community members to contact congressional representatives about immigration enforcement policies.

The demonstration concluded with participants delivering a letter to county officials requesting information about any agreements between Horry County and federal immigration agencies. The letter asks for details about data sharing, notification procedures, and any financial arrangements related to immigration enforcement.

County Council members will likely address the protesters’ requests at their next regular meeting scheduled for February 4. The council has not previously taken formal positions on federal immigration enforcement policies.

Advocacy groups said they will monitor how local officials respond to the demonstration and may organize additional protests if they determine county cooperation with ICE operations threatens community safety.

The Minneapolis shooting investigation continues under federal oversight, with results expected to influence ongoing debates about ICE practices and accountability measures. Congress has indicated plans to review the incident as part of broader immigration policy discussions.