Feds move in
A mid-morning raid on Louisiana’s Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino and Hotel by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has brought the racecourse to a standstill.
ICE closed all entry and exit points
According to reports, ICE closed all entry and exit points to Delta Downs and co-opted drones in a move to trap undocumented laborers.
Horseracing photographer Anika Miskar took to X with images of ICE forcefully arresting Delta Downs workers, along with around 20 workers eventually detained in a line up:
Daily Racing Form branded ICE’s Tuesday bust “a dark day” for Delta Downs, which was reportedly running a live racing event for Quarter Horses.
Heartfelt reactions
National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Hamelback confirmed the raid, stating multiple backstretch workers were “apprehended.”
“This is very concerning,” Hamelback said. “Very concerning.”
DRF cited the HBPA exec as stating he was in Tuesday talks with a pressure group linked to industries relying on immigrant labor “to try to find clarity on whether the racing industry would be targeted in the future.”
According to reports, many horse trainers use the H-2B visa program for certain backstretch workers, while at many smaller racetracks, it’s common knowledge “trainers employ undocumented workers as hotwalkers and grooms.”
Bloodhorse.com stated “100 people were detained with zip ties outside the track kitchen.”
The reaction on social media to ICE’s actions at the racetrack in Louisiana’s Calcasieu Parish has mostly been met with condemnation from industry figures.
FanDuelTV Television Producer Jeremy Pond took to X to state the Delta Downs raid was “simply awful and disheartening.” Award-winning horseracing writer Joe Nevills stated: “Lots of good people will be hurt, and farms and stables will go under if the ICE raids don’t stop at Delta Downs.”
Parx Racing announcer Jessica Paquette said: “This sport, along with all equestrian sports, was built on the backs of immigrants.”
Corporate response
Owner of the Louisiana racing operation, Nevada-based Boyd Gaming, responded to the raid, stating it would cooperate with the feds and that “no Delta Downs team members were involved in this matter.”
Horsemen, however, and not Boyd, are the ones who typically hire backstretch workers.
