US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two people during an enforcement operation near a major construction site in rural Louisiana. Meta Platforms Inc. is building its largest data center at this location in Richland Parish.
Traffic Stops Lead to Arrests
Local law enforcement confirmed the arrests happened during traffic stops involving dump trucks headed toward the project site. The Richland Parish Sheriff's Office assisted ICE agents with these stops. Authorities emphasized the action occurred outside the construction area. ICE agents never entered Meta's premises at any point during the operation.
Details of the Arrested Individuals
The two arrested individuals came from Guatemala and Honduras. The sheriff's office stated enforcement activity focused solely on vehicles traveling to the site. A witness reported seeing unmarked vehicles arrive near the site perimeter in Holly Ridge earlier that day. The witness described the vehicles as part of what appeared to be a coordinated federal operation.
Local Request Triggered Action
A person familiar with the situation said ICE acted after local law enforcement raised concerns about undocumented workers. This person requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. The enforcement action reflects ongoing efforts by federal agencies to increase immigration checks at construction and industrial locations across the United States.
Companies Decline Comment
Meta Platforms Inc. declined to comment on the incident. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not respond to requests for comment. Meta's general contractors—Turner Construction Company, DPR Construction and Mortenson—also remained silent on the matter.
Part of Broader Immigration Drive
This enforcement action aligns with a wider immigration push that has targeted construction sites and manufacturing plants in recent months. The trend comes as US technology companies, including Meta, invest heavily in building data centers to support artificial intelligence infrastructure. These investments have sparked major construction projects in states like Louisiana and Texas.
Political Context in Louisiana
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has publicly supported the administration's immigration agenda. A spokesperson for the governor did not immediately respond to a request for comment about this specific incident. The arrests highlight the intersection of immigration policy and large-scale tech infrastructure development in rural America.
