Racecourse officials in the U.S. warned to deny entry to ICE agents lacking search warrants
Posted: June 20, 2025, 12:03 pm.
Last Updated: June 20, 2025, 12:03 pm.
By: Phil Conneller for CasinoOrg
Headline: ICE Crackdown Threatens US Racing Industry: HBPA Fights Back with Fourth Amendment Directive
Embrace the chaos, 'cause the horse racing world just got a whole lot testy! Following a bust in Louisiana's Delta Downs, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has dropped the gloves and is telling racetracks across the land to slam the door on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents unless they've got a warrant, signed by a judge, to back them up.
That's right! Over 80 undocumented workers, primarily backstretchers, found themselves in hot water during an ICE raid on Delta Downs. Now, the racing industry's worrying about an avalanche of labor shortages if immigration crackdowns become the norm.
Block That Ice!
The HBPA isn't playing around. They've issued a stern warning to all racetrack security, backside gate personnel, and facility management saying, "No access for you, Ice-hole, unless we see a search or arrest warrant signed by an Article III judge or magistrate." If ICE shows up looking for a bite without a judicial warrant? They're getting a friendly yet firm "No passage for you, mate!"
The HBPA isn't all talk, either. They're reminding everyone that the Fourth Amendment is there to protect all of us from unreasonable searches and seizures without the blessings of the legal system.
So why the fuss about these workers? Well, many of them aren't on the payroll of the racetracks themselves. Instead, they're hired by trainers, owners, or subcontractors and often live on the properties. And while some are legitimately employed under the H-2B visa program, navigating that system can be a real headache, involving lengthy, costly processes.
Carveouts for Racing? None Spotted, Mate!
ICE's raid on Delta Downs was the first significant crackdown at a US racetrack since Trump's crew took over the White House. There was a glimmer of hope that state-licensed facilities like racetracks would be left out of the party when it came to workplace raids during Trump's second term. But that optimism's evaporating faster than a $100 bet on a surefire loser.
Trump made a move on Truth Social earlier this month acknowledging the need to protect industries dependent on labor forces tackling roles that Americans might not want. But by the looks of things, the racing industry ain't getting a free pass. According to ICE, of the 84 individuals nabbed at Delta Downs, a paltry two had criminal records.
You Can Run, But Can You Hide?
Tom Rooney, president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), an industry organization, informed the Daily Racing Forum that multiple NTRA members had reported ICE agents popping up at tracks looking for specific individuals, only to be granted access. But Delta? That was a whole new ball game.
Rooney claimed that the ICE agents at Delta said they were after specific people, who thought they were safe, but then it turned into a wide-scale dragnet operation.
There you have it, folks! Prepare yourself for a wild ride in the world of horse racing, as the industry digs its hooves in to protect its labor force and safeguard against future immigration crackdowns. Let's see if this showdown between the racing community and ICE turns into a photo finish or a landslide grab!
Enrichment Data:
- The current stance of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) regarding access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at racetracks is based on constitutional protections under the Fourth Amendment and a concern about the potential disruption of the horse racing industry caused by immigration enforcement actions.
- The HBPA is instructing racetracks nationwide to refuse ICE access unless they have a properly signed judicial warrant to ensure compliance with Fourth Amendment protections and minimize labor disruptions.
- The ICE raid on Delta Downs was a significant event because it demonstrates the risks that US racetracks and the wider racing industry face if they are targeted by immigration enforcement actions, which could lead to severe labor shortages. The HBPA's action is a response to the potential impact on the industry.
- The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has issued a directive to racetracks across the US, instructing them to deny access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents unless they present a properly signed judicial warrant.
- The HBPA's stance is based on constitutional protections under the Fourth Amendment and concerns about the potential disruption of the horse racing industry due to immigration enforcement actions.
- Over 80 undocumented workers, primarily backstretchers, were apprehended during an ICE raid at Louisiana's Delta Downs, sparking concerns within the racing industry about labor shortages if immigration crackdowns become commonplace.
- The horse racing industry is not immune to immigration enforcement actions, as demonstrated by the ICE raid on Delta Downs, the first significant crackdown at a US racetrack since Trump's administration took office.
- The HBPA's fight against ICE raids at US racetracks and the ensuing labor issues will determine the future of the horse racing industry, creating a potential showdown between the racing community and immigration enforcement agencies.
