A massive multi-agency raid led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Delta Downs racetrack in Vinton, Louisiana, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, resulted in the arrest of 84 individuals and has sent shockwaves through the horse racing community.
The operation, which involved ICE, the U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI, the ATF, and the Louisiana State Police, targeted businesses operating at the racetrack’s stables suspected of employing unauthorized workers.
The raid, which saw entrances and exits to the backstretch sealed off and the reported use of drones, has highlighted the racing industry’s significant reliance on immigrant labor.
According to an ICE press release, the operation was prompted by “intelligence indicating that the businesses operating out of the stables at the racetrack were employing unauthorized workers.”
Of those arrested, at least two had prior criminal records, including charges of aggravated battery, sexual battery, and drug possession.
The horse racing industry’s response has been one of shock and concern. The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) issued a strongly worded statement advising its members not to grant ICE access to racetrack property without a judicial warrant.
The HBPA described the raid as “shocking and disruptive” and raised concerns about the horses’ welfare. Some reports claimed that animals were left unattended during the raid.
Boyd Gaming, Delta Downs’ parent company, stated that it is in full compliance with federal labor laws and that, to its knowledge, none of its employees were involved. Backstretch workers are typically employed directly by horse owners and trainers, not the racetrack.
Boyd Gaming has pledged its full cooperation with the ongoing law enforcement investigation.
The raid at Delta Downs is one of the most significant enforcement actions at a U.S. racetrack in recent years, and it has left many in the industry anxious about the future.
The long-term impact on the workforce and the potential for similar raids at other tracks are now major concerns for an industry that depends heavily on the very workers targeted in this operation.
The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what, if any, civil or criminal penalties will be levied against the employers.
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