Federal and state authorities arrested 84 undocumented immigrants yesterday at Delta Downs Racetrack in Calcasieu Parish during a worksite enforcement operation.
“ICE Homeland Security Investigations is working closely with our federal and state partners to review each case of unauthorized employment at the racetrack to identify any other criminal activities that were taking place in addition labor exploitation and immigration violations,” said ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune. “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. As a result, we’re able to bolster public safety in the local community by eliminating that criminal activity and removing any dangerous criminal aliens, transnational gang members or other egregious immigration offenders who illegally entered the country and are working at the business without authorization.”
The action targeted unauthorized workers employed in the horse racing stables. All detained individuals were processed for immigration violations at the Lake Charles Border Patrol Station.
Two criminal aliens were identified. A 36-year-old male with prior convictions and a 40-year old male with serious criminal charges.
Ongoing investigations focus on employer hiring practices and potential criminal conduct, including labor exploitation and trafficing.
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