ICE Raids Delta Downs Racetrack, Arresting 84 Workers

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Delta Downs Racetrack, a hub for horse racing and labor.

News Summary

On June 17, 2025, ICE conducted a raid at Delta Downs Racetrack, Hotel and Casino in Louisiana, leading to the arrest of 84 undocumented workers. This operation, part of a larger enforcement effort against illegal employment, has sparked criticism for potentially disrupting essential labor at the racetrack. Collaborating with state and federal agencies, ICE’s actions aim to uphold legal labor standards amidst ongoing immigration enforcement activities under the current administration.

Lake Charles, Louisiana – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid at Delta Downs Racetrack, Hotel and Casino, on June 17, 2025, resulting in the arrest of approximately 84 undocumented workers. The operation, announced the following day, was part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal employment and protect American jobs.

The ICE operation was carried out in collaboration with other state and federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Border Patrol, in response to intelligence suggesting that businesses at the racetrack’s stables were employing workers without legal authorization. Among those detained, at least two individuals had prior criminal records, highlighting concerns regarding public safety.

One of the individuals arrested was a 36-year-old Mexican national who had been previously charged with offenses including driving under the influence, cocaine possession, and illegal reentry into the United States. Another detainee, a 40-year-old Mexican national, had a history of arrests related to aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon and sexual battery. These details underscore the complexities and potential risks involved with the employment of undocumented workers.

Steven Stavinoha, U.S. Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in New Orleans, reiterated that the enforcement operations are designed to dismantle illegal employment networks and prevent exploitation of labor. The agency aims to uphold legal labor standards in a range of industries.

However, the raid has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Peter Ecabert, general counsel for the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Ecabert expressed concern that the enforcement action left the racetrack and its horse racing operations without essential workers, indicating the significant role that stable workers play in maintaining animal care and racing activities. He voiced a willingness to cooperate with ICE, suggesting that a more organized approach to enforcement would have been preferable.

David Strow, spokesperson for Boyd Gaming Corporation, which owns Delta Downs Racetrack, stated that the company complies with all federal labor laws and had no knowledge of any of its employees being involved in illegal activities. Boyd Gaming Corporation also expressed its readiness to assist law enforcement in ongoing investigations.

This raid at Delta Downs is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, ICE has conducted several high-profile operations in Louisiana, including a raid at a federally funded flood-reduction project in New Orleans on May 27, which led to the arrest of 15 Central American workers. Additionally, on June 11, 10 Chinese nationals were arrested during a raid targeting illegal activities at massage parlors in Baton Rouge. These operations highlight a broader strategy aimed at increasing immigration enforcement in the region.

The context of these enforcement actions is influenced by a shifting immigration landscape under the Trump administration. The administration’s approach has seen a dramatic rise in immigration enforcement activities, with pushes for increased daily arrests significantly impacting immigrant communities. Recent directives indicated temporary pauses on certain ICE arrests at farms, restaurants, and hotels due to concerns about economic repercussions. However, these measures appear not to have significantly affected ongoing enforcement priorities.

Amidst the backdrop of these raids, immigrant advocacy groups like Unión Migrante have voiced strong opposition to such enforcement strategies, arguing that they are harmful to communities and detrimental to the economy, which heavily relies on immigrant labor. The ongoing tension between immigration policy enforcement and the practical implications for various industries continues to evolve as the debate over labor and immigration persists in American society.