US Racetracks Told to Block ICE Agents Without Warrants

• ICE raid at Delta Downs detains more than workers
• HBPA cites Fourth Amendment in warrant-only directive
• Industry fears labor disruption from immigration crackdowns

The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has urged racetracks across the US to block access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents unless they have an official warrant.

The move follows an ICE raid on Delta Downs Racetrack in Vinton, La., Tuesday, that resulted in the arrest of 84 undocumented backstretch workers.

Entry to be Denied

The raid sparked consternation in the industry because of its historical reliance on immigrant labor to fill low-wage, physically demanding positions in the backstretch. Similar raids across the country would devastate live horse racing.

“Racetrack security, backside gate personnel, and all facility management must not grant ICE agents entry based solely on request or agency credentials. Entry is to be denied unless a search or arrest warrant, signed by an Article III judge or magistrate, is physically presented and its scope reviewed,” read the HBPA guidance.

If ICE personnel appear requesting access without such a warrant, they are to be politely informed that no entry will be granted without judicial approval,” the guidance continued.

The HBPA reminded racetracks that the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution protects against searches and seizures without judicial authorization.

Many backstretch workers aren’t hired directly by the racetrack but by trainers, owners, or subcontractors and often live on the premises. While some are employed legally under the H-2B visa program, navigating that system can be prohibitively time-consuming and expensive.

No Carveout for Racing?

Delta Downs was the first large-scale immigration raid at a US racetrack since the Trump administration took office in January. There had been hope that state-licensed facilities like racetracks would be spared the workplace raids that have characterized Trump’s second term.

In a post in Truth Social on June 12, the president appeared to acknowledge the need to protect industries that relied on a labor force doing jobs that Americans aren’t prepared to do.

Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,” Trump wrote.

“We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!” he added.

ICE officials said in a statement that Wednesday that of the 84 individuals detained at Delta Downs, two had criminal records.

‘Delta Was Different’

Tom Rooney, the president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), an industry lobbying group, told the Daily Racing Form that several NTRA members had informed him ICE agents had turned up at tracks looking for specific individuals, and the tracks had granted them access. But the Delta raid was different.

“What I understand to have happened is that they said they were looking for specific people and then it turned into a dragnet,” Rooney said.