ICE agents arrested over 80 illegal immigrants during a massive raid at Louisiana’s Delta Downs Racetrack, uncovering criminal networks and leaving the horse racing industry scrambling for workers as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- ICE arrested more than 80 illegal immigrants at Delta Downs Racetrack in Vinton, Louisiana during a joint operation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
- The operation was conducted following intelligence that unauthorized workers were employed at the racetrack stables and is part of renewed worksite enforcement under President Trump.
- Among those arrested was Enrique Gonzalez Moreno, who had multiple illegal entries and criminal convictions on his record.
- Federal agents are investigating additional criminal activities beyond immigration violations, including document fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking.
- Horse racing industry leaders criticized the raid for abruptly removing essential workers and disrupting operations at the track.
Renewed Immigration Enforcement Under Trump Administration
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at Delta Downs Racetrack marks a significant escalation in worksite enforcement operations since President Trump reinstated policies targeting illegal employment. The operation, which resulted in the arrest of over 80 unauthorized workers, was executed after intelligence indicated the racetrack was employing illegal immigrants. The raid involved coordination between multiple agencies including ICE, Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to comprehensive immigration enforcement.
“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 Among Those Arrested
The raid not only targeted illegal employment but also sought to remove dangerous individuals from American communities. Among those detained was Enrique Gonzalez Moreno, who had a history of multiple illegal entries into the United States and criminal convictions. This case highlights the compounded threat posed by individuals who repeatedly violate immigration laws and engage in criminal activity. ICE officials emphasized that these operations serve a dual purpose: enforcing immigration laws and enhancing public safety by removing criminal elements that exploit unauthorized employment situations.
“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.
Industry Disruption and Competing Perspectives
The raid has sparked significant controversy within the horse racing industry, which has long relied on immigrant labor. The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association expressed strong opposition to the operation, arguing that it left the racetrack without essential workers needed to care for the horses. Boyd Gaming Corporation, the owner of Delta Downs Racetrack, issued a statement affirming their compliance with federal labor laws and their cooperation with law enforcement during the operation, attempting to navigate the complex situation while maintaining their business interests.
“To come in and take that many workers away and leave the horse racing operation stranded and without workers is unacceptable,” said Peter Ecabert.
Critics of the raid argue that such enforcement actions harm local economies that depend on immigrant labor. However, supporters of the Trump administration’s approach point to the benefits for American workers. Since President Trump took office, job growth trends have shifted significantly toward native-born Americans, a stark contrast to the previous administration’s record where nearly all net job growth went to newly arrived migrants. This enforcement action demonstrates the administration’s commitment to prioritizing employment opportunities for citizens and legal immigrants.
Broader Implications for Immigration Policy
This operation at Delta Downs is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reinstate strict worksite enforcement that targets both illegal workers and the employers who hire them. By disrupting unauthorized employment networks, ICE aims to protect American jobs and wages while eliminating exploitative labor practices. The raid serves as a clear message that the administration is serious about enforcing immigration laws at all levels, from border security to interior enforcement, creating a cohesive approach to addressing illegal immigration that promotes the rule of law and national security interests.
“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.
The operation reflects a fundamental shift in immigration enforcement priorities under President Trump, focusing on creating employment opportunities for American citizens by removing illegal workers and prosecuting employers who knowingly hire them. This approach addresses both the supply and demand sides of illegal immigration, recognizing that employment opportunities are a major pull factor for unauthorized migration. By enforcing immigration laws at workplaces across the country, the administration aims to discourage future illegal immigration while protecting American workers.
