ICE, State Police raid Delta Downs in southwest Louisiana

LAKE CHARLES – Police sources report federal, state and local law enforcement took part in an immigration raid Tuesday morning at Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino and Hotel near Vinton.  

Vinton Police Chief Scott Spell confirmed his department was notified Tuesday morning of an operation being conducted by Louisiana State Police, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Spell said Vinton Police were not involved in the operation, as Delta Downs is not within city limits.

ICE has not responded to questions about Tuesday morning’s raid or disclosed the number of individuals questioned, detained or arrested.

State Police representatives confirmed that they assisted with federal partners this morning but would not provide specific details. In an email to the Illuminator, they provided a statement from ICE Homeland Security Investigations that said the agency “does not confirm or discuss ongoing operations.”

A representative of Boyd Gaming, the owner of Delta Downs, declined to answer specific questions but said in an emailed statement that the “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.”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kayla Vincent said fewer than 10 CPSO deputies assigned to the Calcasieu Combined Anti-Drug Taskforce (CAT) were on hand to “provide limited support by helping search the premises.” She referred questions about the arrested individuals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who she said led the investigation.

Vincent said CPSO is not aware of any prior complaints or investigations related to unauthorized workers at Delta Downs or any other local businesses or companies. CPSO does not conduct immigration enforcement or investigations, but they “do partner with our federal agencies, just as we do with local and state, when requested in order to support operations aimed at public safety,” she added.

This is not the first time federal immigration agents have carried out enforcement actions in southwest Louisiana this year. Eleven employees of a Port of Lake Charles contractor were arrested in March as part of an investigation into the “illegal hiring of unauthorized workers,” according to ICE. 

Our news partners at WVUE-TV Fox 8 New Orleans reported the acting ICE New Orleans field office director said his staff is accomplishing its mission when asked about reports of rising arrest quotas. Read more.