Early Tuesday morning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led a raid at Delta Downs racetrack in Louisiana, detaining 84 undocumented individuals. The surprise operation took place amid the ongoing Quarter Horse meet and involved multiple agencies, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI.
ICE confirmed that those detained were processed for administrative immigration violations before being transferred to the Lake Charles Border Patrol Station. Among those arrested were two individuals with known criminal records.
The raid has sent shockwaves through the horse racing community. Will Velie, an immigration lawyer who frequently works with the industry, said he has received numerous calls from racetracks concerned about the incident. In response, Eric Hamelback, CEO of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), issued a reminder to horsemen’s groups about their legal rights. He stressed that ICE agents or representatives should not be allowed into private areas of racetracks, such as stables or dormitories, without a valid judicial warrant signed by a federal judge or magistrate.
Hamelback clarified that administrative warrants issued by ICE, such as Forms I-200 or I-205, do not authorize entry into non-public areas. He cited the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unlawful searches and seizures without proper judicial approval. If ICE presents a warrant, Hamelback advised that it must be carefully reviewed by legal counsel before access is granted. In case of any doubt, he urged contacting HBPA legal representatives immediately.
Additional guidance from Hamelback included strict instructions for racetrack security and management to deny entry to ICE agents who cannot produce a valid search or arrest warrant. Staff are to politely refuse access and notify HBPA offices of any such encounters.
In recent months, Velie has distributed flyers prepared by the American Immigration Lawyers Association to inform undocumented workers of their constitutional rights. These flyers emphasize staying calm, the right to remain silent, no obligation to show immigration documents, the right to a lawyer, and advice against signing any documents without legal counsel. Workers are encouraged to carry a “red card,” which states their intention to remain silent and not answer questions.
For undocumented parents, Velie also recommends having a family safety plan that includes gathering important documents like birth certificates, passports, social security cards, proof of legal status, and school and medical records. The plan also covers legal preparations, emergency contacts, financial arrangements, and warnings about child protection services.
Velie highlighted the importance of having a legal representative ready to help with bond hearings if individuals are detained. He explained that people without serious immigration violations or criminal records who have lived in the U.S. for over two years are often eligible for bond and a hearing before a judge. Having support on the outside allows detainees to make informed decisions without feeling pressured to quickly sign documents.
ICE stated in a Wednesday press release that the raid followed intelligence suggesting that businesses operating out of the racetrack stables employed unauthorized workers. These suspicions were confirmed during a site visit prior to the sweep.
This raid is part of a broader wave of aggressive immigration enforcement under the current administration, which has increasingly targeted industries relying heavily on immigrant labor, including horse racing. Earlier this year, similar operations took place at the Frontera Training Center in New Mexico and other racetracks like Oaklawn Park.
Tuesday’s raid at Delta Downs is believed to be the first large-scale immigration sweep at a racetrack since the administration returned to power in January. However, last week, the administration announced plans to pause aggressive raids targeting farmers, hotels, and restaurants after criticism that enforcement was hurting these sectors. Reports surfaced shortly after that this pause might be reversed.
When asked about the legality of the raids and whether ICE is following proper procedures, Velie said that agents “generally” comply with the law but he was unsure if the Delta Downs raid involved a judicial warrant or permission from racetrack officials.
He emphasized the close-knit nature of the horse racing community, calling the affected individuals “our neighbors.” Velie urged those not directly impacted to stand in solidarity and support efforts to bring detained workers back.
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