ICE and Law Enforcement Collaborate to Arrest Over 80 Illegal Immigrants in Louisiana
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with various federal law enforcement agencies, conducted an operation on June 17 that resulted in the arrest of more than 80 illegal immigrants at Louisiana racetracks. This operation followed a brief pause in arrests aimed at immigrants working in farms, hotels, and restaurants.
Officials had received tips regarding a company employing false workers at Delta Downs Racecourse in Vinton, Louisiana, prompting the enforcement effort. According to ICE sources, the investigation revealed that the business was engaging in unauthorized employment practices.
“ICE Homeland Security Investigations will collaborate with federal and state partners to examine each case of unauthorized employment at the racetracks,” stated an ICE spokesperson. “We aim to uncover other illegal activities connected to labor exploitation and immigration violations.”
While most of the arrests related to immigration issues, several individuals with criminal records were also apprehended. One notable arrest was 36-year-old Enrique Gonzalez Moreno, who was found guilty multiple times for driving under the influence and for illegal re-entry as he lived in the country without authorization, according to ICE.
Authorities are focused on tackling illegal immigration, and the recent effort highlights how workplace investigations can uncover broader criminal activities, including money laundering and human trafficking. “By targeting these issues, we can improve public safety by removing dangerous individuals, including gang members and other serious offenders,” explained Delaune, an ICE official.
This investigation serves to identify businesses that are complicit in hiring fraudulent workers. The approach, according to ICE, aims not just to reduce illegal employment but also to hold employers accountable for their actions.
The arrests came shortly after a series of anti-ICE protests erupted in multiple major U.S. cities, with some protests escalating into violent riots in places such as Los Angeles and Portland.
As for Delta Downs Racetrack, the establishment has not provided any immediate comments regarding the arrests or the operation’s implications.
