U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Marshals Service, executed a targeted worksite raid in Brownsville this week, resulting in the arrest of multiple Mexican nationals residing in the United States without legal authorization.
The operation, part of a broader enforcement effort by ICE’s Rio Grande Valley field office, focused on verifying employment eligibility under federal law. Agents conducted inspections of Form I‑9 compliance at two separate construction sites in Brownsville.
Officials report that several individuals—primarily citizens of Mexico—were detained and are now facing removal proceedings.
ICE released a statement affirming its commitment to ensuring a secure labor market and upholding immigration regulations. “Individuals who violate federal immigration and employment laws not only undermine fair labor standards but also pose potential security and safety risks.
ICE will continue to work with our partners to identify and investigate those who disregard the law,” said Craig Larrabee, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio.
These arrests follow similar actions earlier this month, in which ICE detained a dozen undocumented workers—mostly from Mexico and El Salvador—at business sites in Harlingen and San Benito during coordinated enforcement activities across the Rio Grande Valley region.
ICE identifies its worksite enforcement strategy as a critical part of its mission to deter illegal employment and reduce incentives for unauthorized migration.
Federal law mandates that U.S. employers verify an employee’s eligibility to work through the I‑9 employment verification process. Non-compliant worksites may trigger inspections, civil fines, or criminal charges.
Critics, including immigrant advocacy groups and local representatives, argue that such raids disrupt families and communities, fostering fear among immigrant workers—many of whom are employed in essential industries.
Some residents of the Rio Grande Valley have responded with increased community support efforts and calls for humanitarian aid.
The individuals arrested in this latest operation are being held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. No additional details regarding criminal charges, if any, have been released.
ICE continues to encourage public cooperation, urging citizens to report suspected illegal employment or smuggling activity via its tip line.
