ICE El Paso arrests 38 at construction sites; 3 children encountered in 9‑day, multiagency sweep

Key Takeaways

• ICE’s El Paso field office arrested 38 noncitizens without lawful status during a nine-day, multiagency operation at construction sites.
• The agency said three children were encountered at worksites during the action; their status and disposition were not detailed in the release.
• The effort reflects ongoing, targeted interior enforcement despite a 2021 shift away from large-scale worksite “raids.”
• Those arrested typically face civil immigration processing, including detention, reinstatement of prior removal orders, or placement into removal proceedings.
• Employers remain subject to federal penalties for hiring unauthorized workers and could face audits by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

What happened

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said its El Paso office arrested 38 individuals it described as “illegal aliens” during a nine-day, multiagency operation focused on construction sites. The agency also reported encountering three children at those worksites. ICE did not immediately disclose details about the children’s circumstances, nationalities of those arrested, or whether any criminal charges were pursued in addition to civil immigration violations.

The arrests were part of coordinated actions with partner agencies. In ICE operations like this, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) generally handles civil immigration arrests and custody decisions, while Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) leads employer-compliance and worksite investigations. People arrested for being unlawfully present typically face civil immigration consequences under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), such as detention pending removal, issuance of a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court, or—if previously deported—reinstatement of a removal order.

Policy context

Since 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said it would shift away from mass worksite “raids,” emphasizing actions against exploitative employers and protecting witness workers. Still, ICE continues targeted operations at worksites when it asserts public safety, labor, or enforcement concerns. Employers that knowingly hire unauthorized workers can face audits, fines, and criminal exposure under federal law, even when workers themselves are processed in the civil immigration system.

For families and workers in the El Paso area, the operation signals heightened scrutiny at construction sites—a sector long reliant on mixed-status labor. Noncitizens without lawful status should be aware that a worksite encounter can lead to detention or court proceedings. Parents and guardians may wish to prepare child-care plans in case of custody, and workers may seek legal advice about their rights during enforcement actions. Employers should review I‑9 verification practices and cooperate with any lawful requests from HSI while consulting counsel.

Source: Original Article