Delta Downs in Lockdown as ICE Targets Undocumented Workers
Posted on: June 18, 2025, 05:14h.
Last updated on: June 18, 2025, 05:14h.
- Over 80 undocumented racetrack workers arrested in ICE raid
- Horses reportedly left unattended during sudden enforcement operation
- Industry questions labor practices and equine safety oversight
Louisiana’s Delta Downs racetrack was locked down Tuesday morning, as a joint immigration enforcement raid targeting backstretch workers shut down roads around the property.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested more than 80 individuals for working without documentation, several of whom had prior criminal convictions or multiple illegal entries into the US, ICE officials said in a statement.
“An investigation into potential criminal conduct related to the hiring of the illegal aliens remains ongoing and an assessment of whether any civil penalties are appropriate is being conducted,” the Wednesday release states.
Welfare Concerns
Delta Downs, which is owned by Boyd Gaming, is in the midst of a Quarter Horse meet, but no live racing was scheduled for Tuesday.
However, speaking to Thoroughbred Racing News, Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), expressed concerns about apparent disregard for the welfare of horses during the raid.
He said horses were left unattended on wall ties and hotwalking machines, potentially vulnerable positions if left for too long.
“I was told of one rider that was told to get off the horse and let it go,” Hamelback said. “[The] lack of concern for equine wellbeing is also a major concern.”
Reliance on Immigrant Labor
The backstretch refers to the area where the behind-the-scenes work takes place at a racetrack, including caring for and preparing the horses. It includes stables and barns, living quarters for workers, and training and maintenance areas.
The horse racing industry has historically relied on immigrant labor — often undocumented — especially for low-wage, physically demanding jobs in the backstretch.
Many of these workers are not hired directly by the racetrack but by trainers, owners, or subcontractors and often live on the premises.
While a number of immigrant workers on the backstretch are employed legally under the H-2B visa program, navigating that system can be both time-consuming and expensive. For many trainers and staff, especially those operating with limited resources, the costs and complexities involved can be prohibitive.
As a result, some turn to informal labor arrangements, which can leave workers vulnerable as they seek stable employment in the industry, according to the Paulick Report.
Our company complies fully with federal labor laws, and to our knowledge, no Delta Downs team members were involved in this matter. We will cooperate with law enforcement as requested,” Boyd Gaming said in a statement Wednesday.
It’s the first large-scale immigration raid at a US racetrack since the Trump administration took office in January, and it comes just days after a wave of anti-ICE demonstrations erupted in cities nationwide.
While many protests were peaceful, some escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, particularly in Los Angeles and Portland.
Last Comments ( 7 )
If the immigrants were undocumented then they are ILLEGAL! That also means they are criminals. As far as horses being left ties to walls and riders having to get off horses.... There are plenty of legal workers on every backside to grab a horse or two if need be. I know because I've been a Exercise Rider and Jockey for almost 20 years. I'm sick and tired of illegals making it impossible for Exercise Riders to have a union or get paid compensation if we are injured. We work 7 days a week, no workmans comp., and absolutely no recourse if a illegal gets hired because he will work for much less. This doesn't include female riders and geooms being sexually harassed everyday at work by these illegals. They do it because they get away with it. No trainer will fire them because the illegal will blackball that trainer to all the other illegals. Then that trainer has no cheap labor anymore. The backsides of Racetracks wouldn't suffer for help as much as everyone thinks... If wages were better and conditions for grooms and riders improved.. There are PLENTY of Americans that would love to work with horses everyday. GET THE ILLEGALS OFF THE HORSE TRACKS! The tracks that are giving them licenses, knowing that they are illegal, should be fined as well. As a disabled veteran, I shouldn't have to compete against a illegal immigrant for a job!
David Rivas are you that stupid, and blind to what America was built on. It literally says in the story that only 2 had prior records 2 or of how many. Trashing 76 people working hard trying to find a way for 2 people is insane. How many man hours will be waisted how much money will be spent how many cops and ICE agents have to be paid to get 2 people that have a past. And if you really want to go deeper I can walk down the street and find more than 2 criminals born in America. 95% of the jobs they are doing no bady wants that's why they do them. So now your going to effect the lives of good ok home grown natural born Americans. It's like you base your whole train of thought on trump new headlines and his talking points. You will see sooner than later what this witch hunt does to our country. I agree with alot of the changes that need to be made. With Criminals (only) coming into America and getting them out. But grabbing any foreigners ruining thier lives and let God sort it out is stupid and irresponsible. And all this craziness is for nothing. Do you really think it will stay this way. Your president has pretty much sealed the deal for the democrats winning for some time to come. You people think so small minded it insane. He haste lowest rating ever as a acting president. All these people that voted for him and he said he would leave farms, hotels and so on alone and once again he lied. All he did is serve the white house for next 20 years on a platter.
These people are felons, if we let them go then go to all the jails and let the felons go. All these people broke our law, and there should pass a law that if you're going to demonstrate here in the US you will not be allowed to wear a mask to hide your identity.
There needs to be drastic action to stop this hateful profiling of people if color ! Time to start fighting back !!!
The person that made that comment is right! So many employers want cheaper labor costs so they hire illegals who will work for a much cheaper wage. Businesses who hire illegals and vet caught as Delta Downs did should be ordered to court and fined for every single alien they employeed. Delta Downs shame on you!
You shouldn't be hiring illegal undocumented people, there used to be serious consequences for hiring and paying under the table illegals. Guess your profit margins will change now. Greedy greedy greedy!
Then don't hire them. If you don't want your business and animals, etc...affected then stop hiring illegal criminal invaders in our country.