Members of the US’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted searches for undocumented workers at Delta Downs in Louisiana
A racecourse was shut down and a number of backstretch workers ‘apprehended’ during a raid by ICE officers. In a concerning development for the racing industry across the US, who rely heavily on immigrant labour for their stable workforce, the searches were carried out at Delta Downs in Louisiana.
Officers from the US’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement closed all exits and entrances to the track and deployed drones while they swept the site for undocumented labourers, according to a DRF.com report.
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Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, told the news site that a number of workers were “apprehended”.
A statement from ICE said: “For operational security reasons and the safety of our law enforcement personnel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations does not confirm or discuss ongoing operations. When appropriate, the agency publicly announces the results of operations through our Newsroom on the ICE.gov website.”
Delta Downs hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse race meetings but there was no fixture on Tuesday.
The policies of the Trump administration which, through ICE, has stepped up operations to identify and arrest immigrants who are in the US illegally has caused increasing alarm among the racing industry.
According to DRF, representatives had complained to the Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins that many staff were not showing up for work because of fears they would be apprehended.
The National HBPA has urged members to lobby their federal representatives to urge them to “work with Rollins to protect our farms, restaurants, hotels, and other industries.” Hamelback said: “This is very concerning, very concerning.”
Many trainers obtain visas for certain backstretch workers but it is well known that at smaller tracks a large percentage of the stable workforce are undocumented.
One post on X said: “What is happening at Delta Downs is cruel and inhumane. If you can’t differentiate between a ‘violent criminal’ and a backstretch worker the problem is you not them.
“They are people. They are in the U.S. for work. Their employers should’ve given them a work visa to avoid this.”