Local authorities have turned the heat up on businesses skirting immigration laws in Harvey, Louisiana. On October 30, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 25 individuals at a shipyard operated by Barrois Welding Services. This action came after a months-long investigation following the arrest of an employee for immigration violations back in March. ICE News reported that owner Russel E. Barrois failed to provide necessary documents for employees such as Form I-9s, identification, or even a basic list of current workers.
The crackdown, led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans, along with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans support, highlights increased efforts to enforce workforce compliance. According to a statement obtained by ICE News, Deputy Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright said, "This operation demonstrates our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and holding employers accountable. We will continue to investigate and take action against those who fail to comply with the law.” The individuals detained were all from Honduras, and some had criminal histories, including prior illegal entry and other misdemeanors.
HSI New Orleans serves as the hub for the IMAGE program, designed to foster partnership between government and employers. This initiative seeks to address challenges in the hiring process and strives to promote integrity and legal compliance within the workforce. The recent actions at the Harvey shipyard are a part of this overarching strategy to secure the nation's employment sectors from illegal practices.
