News Summary
On May 27, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid at the Mirabeau Water Gardens construction site in Gentilly, arresting 15 workers for lacking immigration documentation. Local rights groups report the number could be as high as two dozen. This operation aligns with increased immigration enforcement under the current administration, impacting local communities and economies. The ongoing $141 million Gentilly Resilience District project aims to address flooding issues in the area, despite the challenges posed by these arrests.
New Orleans ICE Raids Arrest Workers at Construction Site Amid Immigration Policy Changes
On May 27, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a raid at the Mirabeau Water Gardens construction site in Gentilly, New Orleans, arresting 15 workers suspected of lacking proper immigration documentation. The site is part of a significant federally funded stormwater management project financed by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Local immigrants’ rights group, Union Migrante, reported that the number of arrested workers may be closer to two dozen, suggesting possible discrepancies in official figures. The raid comes during heightened immigration enforcement efforts under the current administration, marking a shift from the more lenient policies of the previous administration that avoided mass workplace arrests.
Notable Impacts of the Raid
The Mirabeau Water Garden project, which began construction in late 2023 after years of delays, is part of the $141 million Gentilly Resilience District. This initiative aims to address persistent flooding issues affecting the area, and it is one of several construction projects in New Orleans receiving federal support. Despite the recent arrests, the city’s office has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the project on schedule by the end of 2025.
In response to the arrests, LaNitrah Hasan, the director of the city’s Project Delivery Unit, notified department heads to alert contractors who may employ undocumented workers. Michael Karam, head of the Department of Parks and Parkways, also instructed department personnel to notify contractors about the ICE operation.
Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement
These actions come as the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement measures. Recent social media statements from the President indicated support for ICE’s expanded operations, particularly in major Democratic-led cities. This shift has raised concerns among local leaders and immigrant communities, with New Orleans City Councilmember JP Morrell labeling the raids as “counterproductive” and detrimental to essential infrastructure projects.
During the same week as the New Orleans raids, another ICE operation targeted a large construction site in Tallahassee, Florida, resulting in the arrest of over 100 workers. This pattern highlights the significant proportion of Hispanic and Latinx workers in the U.S. construction industry, which accounts for approximately 30% of the national labor force, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Community Concerns and Effects
Local communities, particularly Hispanic residents, expressed feelings of fear and isolation in the aftermath of the raids. This climate of apprehension has negatively impacted local businesses, particularly Latin American restaurants, which have seen a decline in customers. Community members reported that the uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement is affecting their daily lives and local economies.
Experts have voiced concerns that targeting immigrant workers could exacerbate the current labor shortages in the construction industry, estimated at around 500,000 workers nationwide. George Carillo, CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, emphasized that the mass deportation of undocumented workers could hinder critical infrastructure projects and stymie economic growth.
While ICE maintains that its mission includes reducing unlawful employment and holding employers accountable, the impacts of their raids on local projects and the broader economy remain a contentious issue. The agency has not provided specific details on the ramifications of their enforcement actions on city projects, yet their focus is reportedly to protect lawful employment opportunities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Protests Erupt Amidst Increased ICE Enforcement Operations
Louisiana Passes New Immigration Enforcement Bills
Demonstrators Protest Trump’s Immigration Policies in New Orleans
Immigration Raid at New Orleans Construction Site Raises Concerns
Additional Resources
- ABC News: ICE Arrests 84 People at Louisiana Racetrack
- NOLA: Kenner Hispanic Heritage Fest 2025
- LA Times: ICE Arrests at Louisiana Racetrack
- New Orleans CityBusiness: ICE Arrests Unauthorized Workers
- Fox 8 Live: New Orleans Drainage Project Raided
- Wikipedia: Immigration in the United States
- Google Search: Immigration Policy Changes
- Google Scholar: Immigration Enforcement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Law
- Google News: ICE Raids
