Over 80 Illegal Aliens Arrested During ICE Raid At Racetrack

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A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on a Louisiana racetrack resulted in the arrest of over 80 individuals in the United States unlawfully.

“More than 80 illegal migrants were arrested during a worksite enforcement operation at the Delta Downs Racetrack in Louisiana today,” Fox News national correspondent Brooke Taylor said.

“According to ICE, the op was conducted after authorities received intelligence indicating that the businesses operating out of the stables at the racetrack were employing unauthorized workers. All of this comes after a brief pause on worksite enforcement operations at farms, hotels, and restaurants,” she added.

“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,” said ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune.

Per ABC News:

Of the dozens of workers detained during the raid, “at least two” had prior criminal records, according to the agency.

“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, U.S. Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in New Orleans, in a written statement.

“Our Company complies fully with federal labor laws, and to our knowledge, no Delta Downs team members were involved in this matter,” said David Strow, a spokesperson for Boyd Gaming Corporation which owns the racetrack, in an emailed statement. “We will cooperate with law enforcement as requested.”

In the past few weeks, ICE has engaged in other large-scale raids across Louisiana. On May 27, the agency raided a federally funded flood-reduction project in New Orleans and reported arresting 15 Central American workers. And the agency said it arrested 10 Chinese nationals working at massage parlors in Baton Rouge during a June 11 raid.

WATCH:

From the Associated Press:

But some racing industry leaders were livid.

“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, which represents 29,000 thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers, including at Delta Downs.

“If they (ICE) were willing to come in and try and work with us, we are willing to make sure things are done in an orderly way,” Ecabert added. “But what they have done here leaves everyone in a bad situation.”



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