Delta Downs in Lockdown as ICE Targets Undocumented Workers

• 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.

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.