Three ICE Employer Raid Stories, Mapped Out

Trump Was Top ICE Employment Raid Enforcer During First Term

The debate over immigration enforcement often centers on border policies, but equally important are workplace enforcement actions that directly impact American labor markets. When we examine the data, a clear pattern emerges: workplace immigration enforcement saw its peak during President Trump's first term, with a dramatic decline during the Biden administration.

According to a recent Economic Policy Institute (EPI) report, the Trump administration conducted the highest number of ICE employer raids and I-9 inspections between 2008 and 2024. In fiscal year 2018, ICE performed 5,981 workplace inspections, and this number peaked in 2019 with 6,456 inspections. In stark contrast, employer enforcement plummeted to just 264 inspections in fiscal year 2024 under the Biden administration.

Each of these enforcement actions tells a story about American workers and labor market integrity. Trump's employer raids across diverse geographical settings—from urban Chicago to exurban Salem, Ohio, to rural Mississippi—demonstrated tangible benefits for American workers in the form of wage increases and new job opportunities.

The Chicago Bakery Case: American Workers Speak Up

Perhaps the most telling example comes from Chicago's Cloverhill Bakery, which faced an ICE raid in early 2018. What makes this case particularly noteworthy is that the investigation began after Black American workers at the facility reported the company to authorities.

Why would American workers call immigration enforcement on their own workplace? The answer reveals much about labor exploitation in environments with illegal workers. According to reports from the Chicago Sun-Times, Black American workers at Cloverhill were being paid $14 per hour, while Mexican workers without legal status were paid just $10 per hour. This wage disparity created a perverse incentive structure where employers could undercut the labor market by exploiting illegal workers.

Lynne Lane, a union steward at Cloverhill, explained the situation: "It was [African American] workers in the plant that saw, you know, like I said, that had been treated unfairly and treated like second-class citizens by Hispanic workers. So there were a whole lot of employees in the company. Well, they were given a number, as far as I know. They were given a number to call... to call Immigration."

The aftermath of the raid demonstrated the potential positive impact of workplace enforcement. Following the removal of unauthorized workers, approximately 600 Black Americans found employment at the bakery. This outcome highlights how enforcement of immigration laws in the workplace can create job opportunities for legal residents and citizens while dealing with employment discrimination and economic marginalization.

Beyond Chicago: A Pattern of Market Correction

The Chicago bakery example wasn't an isolated incident. Similar enforcement actions in Salem, Ohio, and rural Mississippi communities showed comparable effects: when employers could no longer rely on exploitable labor, wages rose and opportunities opened for American workers who had previously been shut out.

Salem, Ohio: Americans Ready to Work

In 2018, ICE conducted a raid at Fresh Mark, a meatpacking company in Salem, Ohio, detaining 146 illegal workers. The Guardian captured telling perspectives from local residents that challenge the common narrative about "jobs Americans won't do."

Christopher Smith, a 42-year-old welder living near the Fresh Mark plant, was enthusiastic about the raid. "There are a lot of Americans out of work, and illegals are taking our jobs," said Smith. He goes on to say, "When I was younger, I crawled around picking beans and scrubbed toilets to support my family. Any American would do whatever they have to to provide for their family."

His neighbor, Ed Lyons, had worked at Fresh Mark and its predecessor for 18 years. Lyons, who was making $13.45 an hour, believed senior employees like himself were terminated in 2010 so the company could replace them with lower-paid illegal immigrant workers. He witnessed firsthand how Guatemalan residents began "flowing in" to fill many jobs at the plant.

Lyons and Smith represent many Salem residents who dispute the idea that immigrants are doing jobs Americans won't do. They contend there are plenty of American residents in Salem who would work at Fresh Mark, especially if wages were higher.

What's particularly significant about the Fresh Mark case is that Lyons' allegations about wrongdoing were substantiated. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Fresh Mark's hiring manager, Yelwin Omar Munoz-Solis, "conspired with others to steal identities of U.S. citizens and give them to job applicants at Fresh Mark's meat processing plants." The company ultimately paid a $3.7 million penalty.

This case demonstrates that workplace immigration enforcement isn't just about jobs and wages—it also helps combat identity theft and fraud that victimizes American citizens.

Mississippi: Creating New Opportunities

In another striking example, the Trump administration conducted what became the largest single-state ICE operation in U.S. history, arresting 680 Hispanic illegal workers at several chicken processing plants in Mississippi. The aftermath revealed the economic dynamics at play when immigration laws are enforced.

The wage increases and newly available positions following the raids motivated Black American workers to quit their current jobs for better opportunities at the chicken plants. As reported by The New York Times, Sonic Drive-In Manager Niah Hill said ten of her workers quit because "when they heard about the raids, they all went over there and got jobs right away."

This movement of workers toward better employment opportunities demonstrates how immigration enforcement can create a more competitive labor market that benefits Americans, particularly in communities with poor-paying jobs available for citizens.

These examples challenge the prevailing narrative that immigration enforcement harms the local economy. In these cases, enforcement actually corrected market distortions that had suppressed wages and employment opportunities for legal workers. When companies are held accountable for their hiring practices, they must compete for labor fairly—paying market wages and providing appropriate working conditions.

The Decline of Enforcement and Its Consequences

The dramatic decline in workplace enforcement under the Biden administration—from thousands of inspections annually to just 264 in fiscal year 2024—reveals how little the previous government was committed to protecting American workers, especially those in vulnerable communities.

When employers know the risk of enforcement is minimal, the incentive to hire unauthorized workers at below-market wages increases. This doesn't just harm American workers directly competing for jobs; it creates downward pressure on wages and working conditions across entire sectors of the economy.

The Path Forward

As we look toward the future of immigration policy, we should recognize that effective enforcement isn't merely about border security or deporting criminals—it's about maintaining the integrity of our labor markets and ensuring fair treatment for all workers.

The data from the Trump-era enforcement efforts demonstrates that workplace immigration enforcement, when properly implemented, can yield positive results for American workers. As the country continues to debate immigration policy, the lessons from these enforcement actions should not be forgotten.

For many working-class Americans, the wage increases and new job opportunities that resulted from workplace enforcement made a meaningful difference in their lives. A comprehensive immigration strategy must include robust workplace enforcement to ensure that all employers play by the same rules and that American workers aren't undercut by corporate exploitation of illegal workers.

Taking Action: Citizen Involvement

It's worth noting that many of these enforcement actions began with tips from American workers or concerned citizens. This highlights an important aspect of immigration enforcement: citizen participation.

If you know of a business breaking the law by hiring illegal aliens, it is your right as a citizen to report this activity. The ICE Tip Form provides an anonymous method to alert authorities to possible violations. This isn't just about enforcing immigration law—it's about exercising citizenship rights and ensuring fair labor practices that protect American citizen workers.

Conclusion

The stories from Chicago, Ohio, and Mississippi aren't just about immigration enforcement—they're about economic justice and the government's role in ensuring fair labor markets. These examples suggest that when it comes to workplace immigration enforcement, less is not always more, especially for the American workers who benefit from level playing fields and fair labor practices.