Immigration officers arrested 25 suspected illegal immigrants during a raid at a shipyard in Harvey, Louisiana, where they were working for Barrois Welding Services, reported Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
The raid followed a seven-month investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans. The probe began after one Barrois employee was arrested in March for immigration violations, prompting further scrutiny of the contractor.
HSI subpoenaed the owner of Barrois Welding Services for payroll records, including identification and Form I-9 documentation. The owner reportedly failed to comply with repeated requests, despite HSI's offer to assist businesses in improving compliance and avoiding penalties.
On October 30, agents raided the worksite and found 25 Honduran nationals working illegally. Some had prior criminal records, including firearm discharge, illegal entry, and providing false information to law enforcement, according to ICE.
HSI New Orleans is continuing its investigation to determine whether any criminal violations occurred. Deputy Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright said the operation reflects the agency's commitment to enforcing immigration laws and holding employers accountable.
A ProPublica investigation noted that undocumented workers have increasingly entered the subcontractor segment supplying labour to shipyards. Post-COVID workforce shortages have driven demand, though safety incidents involving undocumented labour have drawn regulatory attention.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9251100000143
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