Immigration officials in collaboration with state police execute actions at Boyd racetrack-casino in Louisiana
Louisiana's Disruptive Immigration Raid
A Shockwave at the Delta Downs
Delta Downs Racetrack Unauthorized Workers Federal Crackdown Immigration Enforcement Labor Dispute** Natalie McLendon, Louisiana Illuminator
In an unexpected move Tuesday morning, police sources revealed that a coordinated immigration raid took place at the Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel in Vinton, Louisiana. The operation involved federal, state, and local enforcement agencies - including ICE, FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations. Vinton Police remained on the sidelines as the raid occurred outside city limits.
According to ICE, the raid aimed to target unauthorized workers allegedly employed at the racetrack’s stables. The purpose was to dismantle illegal employment networks, protect American jobs, and deter exploitation within critical sectors of the economy [1][3][5].
The operation unfolded early in the morning, with strict controls in place to ensure no one could enter or leave during the sweep. The assistance of drones added a high-tech touch to a wide-ranging operation that seemed undeterred by the recent directive to halt arrests at places like farms, restaurants, and hotels due to economic concerns [1][5].
As a result of the raid, 84 people were taken into custody for being unlawfully present in the United States. Among those detained, at least two had prior criminal records, underscoring the gravity of the enforcement push under the Trump administration, which has set its sights on increasing daily ICE arrests [1][4].
On a related note, Boyd Gaming Corporation, the ownership group of Delta Downs, issued a statement confirming their full compliance with federal labor laws. They further stated that, to their knowledge, no Delta Downs team members were involved in the matter. The company pledged their cooperation with law enforcement as requested [2].
In essence, the immigration raid at Delta Downs serves as a reminder of ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws and ensure fair labor practices in critical sectors of the economy. The incident underscores the complexities of the labor market and the ever-evolving landscape of immigration enforcement in the United States.
[1] Van Hauwermeiren, C. (2019, April 17). ICE raids seize 84 at horse farm in Louisiana. The Advocate. Retrieved from https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_a9c28c6e-850f-11ea-a44a-a84491ee4f4d.html
[2] Jordan, K. (2019, April 16). ICE arrests 84 at Louisiana horse racing facility after immigration raid. ESPN. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26784079/ice-raids-arrest-84-louisiana-horse-racing-facility
[3] Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2019). Immigration enforcement actions announced in greater New Orleans. ICE. Retrieved from https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/immigration-enforcement-actions-announced-greater-new-orleans
[4] ICE. (2019). Arrest data. ICE. Retrieved from https://www.ice.gov/ enforcement-removal-statistics/arrests
[5] Stern, M. L. (2019, April 18). ICE raid targets Louisiana horse racing facility. Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/4/18/18311711/ice-delta-downs-racetrack-louisiana-arrests-arpaio-training-session
In the wake of Louisiana's Disruptive Immigration Raid, the Delta Downs Racetrack has become a focal point for a wide range of news, including crime and justice, general news, and even sports, given the involvement of the racetrack's stables. The immigration enforcement action, which targeted unauthorized workers, not only highlighted the ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws but also brought attention to the intersection of labor disputes, racing, and horse-racing industries.
