ICE agents stormed Delta Downs Racetrack in Louisiana, arresting over 80 illegal migrants in a dramatic operation that exposed criminal histories and crippled the horse racing industry’s workforce.
Key Takeaways
- ICE arrested more than 80 illegal migrants at Delta Downs Racetrack in Vinton, Louisiana during a coordinated operation with federal, state, and local authorities.
- The raid was part of President Trump’s renewed emphasis on worksite enforcement operations targeting illegal employment networks that threaten American jobs.
- Among those arrested was Enrique Gonzalez Moreno, who had multiple illegal entries and criminal convictions, highlighting the public safety concerns addressed by the operation.
- Federal agents are investigating additional criminal activities beyond immigration violations, including document fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking.
- Horse racing industry representatives criticized the raid for abruptly removing essential workers without providing an alternative workforce solution.
Massive ICE Operation Targets Illegal Employment at Louisiana Racetrack
A joint operation led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Delta Downs Racetrack in Vinton, Louisiana resulted in the arrest of more than 80 illegal migrants. The early morning raid involved ICE Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The operation targeted unauthorized workers employed at the racetrack stables following intelligence gathering that indicated widespread labor law violations and illegal employment practices at the facility.
“ICE Homeland Security Investigations is working closely with our federal and state partners to review each case of unauthorized employment at the racetrack to identify any other criminal activities that were taking place in addition to labor exploitation and immigration violations,” said Eric DeLaune, ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge.
Criminal Elements Uncovered During Enforcement Action
The operation revealed the presence of individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including Enrique Gonzalez Moreno, who had multiple illegal entries into the United States and criminal convictions. Federal authorities emphasized that these enforcement operations aim to disrupt illegal employment networks and remove dangerous criminal elements from communities. The raid marks a significant shift in immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration, which has reinstituted worksite enforcement operations after previous policies had limited such actions.
“Oftentimes, when we’re conducting these worksite enforcement operations, we uncover other forms of criminal conduct, such as document and benefit fraud, money laundering and human trafficking. As a result, we’re able to bolster public safety in the local community by eliminating that criminal activity and removing any dangerous criminal aliens, transnational gang members or other egregious immigration offenders who illegally entered the country and are working at the business without authorization,” said Eric DeLaune.
Horse Racing Industry Disrupted by Enforcement Action
The operation caused significant disruption to the racetrack’s operations, with Boyd Gaming Corporation, the owner of Delta Downs, stating they are cooperating with authorities while maintaining compliance with federal labor laws. The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association expressed frustration over the sudden removal of essential workers without prior coordination. The raid has reignited debate about the reliance of certain industries on unauthorized labor and the economic impacts of strict immigration enforcement.
“To come in and take that many workers away and leave the horse racing operation stranded and without workers is unacceptable,” said Peter Ecabert, general counsel for the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
Trump’s Pro-American Worker Immigration Policies in Action
The raid represents a concrete example of President Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities, which focus on protecting American jobs and ensuring the rule of law. ICE officials emphasized that these operations are designed to hold employers accountable for hiring unauthorized workers while opening job opportunities for native-born Americans and legal immigrants. This approach stands in stark contrast to previous policies that allowed illegal employment networks to flourish, often at the expense of American workers.
“These enforcement operations aim to disrupt illegal employment networks that threaten the integrity of our labor systems, put American jobs at risk and create pathways for exploitation within critical sectors of our economy,” said Steven Stavinoha, acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New Orleans.
In the five months since President Trump returned to office, all net job growth has gone to native-born Americans, a dramatic shift from the previous administration where nearly all net job growth benefited newly arrived migrants. This operation at Delta Downs Racetrack demonstrates the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and prioritizing the economic interests of American citizens and legal residents, despite criticism from those who claim the economy depends on unauthorized labor.
