Federal authorities have ramped up enforcement against illegal immigration, arresting eight illegal aliens in a targeted workplace raid in Los Fresnos, Texas. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the operation at Abby’s Bakery, where officials say the owners knowingly employed and harbored individuals who were in the U.S. illegally.
The bakery’s owners, Leonardo Baez and Nora Alicia Avila-Guel, are now facing federal charges for allegedly violating U.S. immigration laws. According to prosecutors, the business owners were fully aware of their employees’ unlawful status yet continued to employ them, providing them with shelter and financial support. Under 8 USC 1324, those convicted of harboring illegal aliens can face significant fines and up to ten years in prison per violation.
This operation is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration by holding not only illegal border crossers accountable but also those who intentionally hire and harbor them. While many states have implemented E-Verify requirements to ensure businesses only hire legal workers, Texas currently mandates its use only for public employees and certain industries.
The case underscores the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and eliminating incentives for illegal migration. By targeting businesses that exploit illegal labor, federal authorities aim to discourage the widespread practice of hiring unauthorized workers, which undercuts American workers and fuels illegal immigration.
Trump and Republican leaders have repeatedly emphasized that addressing illegal immigration requires strict enforcement at all levels, including stronger border security and holding businesses accountable for violating federal law. As this case moves forward, it serves as a warning to employers who think they can skirt immigration laws without consequence.
NEW: ICE & HSI in the RGV conducted a worksite operation at a bakery in Los Fresnos, TX, arresting 8 illegal alien employees and charging the owners with federal felonies for harboring & aiding the illegal aliens via 8 USC 1324. This is the law Tom Homan has been repeatedly… pic.twitter.com/GZNgikx672
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 21, 2025