ICE Arrests 38 Illegal Immigrants at Texas, New Mexico Construction Sites; Three Minors Rescued

Operation targets worksites in El Paso and Santa Teresa as administration enforcement continues.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 38 illegal immigrants, including individuals with prior criminal convictions, during a targeted enforcement operation at construction sites in Texas and New Mexico. The nine-day operation, conducted between Jan. 11 and Jan. 19, took place at multiple construction sites in El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Officers also encountered and removed three minors who were unlawfully employed at the sites.

Why it matters

This operation is part of the Trump administration's broader immigration enforcement efforts, which have drawn attention from industry groups concerned about labor shortages in sectors like construction. The stepped-up enforcement has also raised concerns about the potential effects on child care providers, as immigrant workers comprise a significant portion of the U.S. child care workforce.

The details

Among those arrested were four individuals charged with felony illegal reentry and two ICE fugitives with final orders of removal. Of the 38 individuals arrested, eight had prior criminal histories, including one convicted of assault causing bodily injury to a family member and another convicted of failing to identify as a fugitive. ICE transferred the three minors encountered to Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement's custody.

  • The nine-day operation was conducted between Jan. 11 and Jan. 19, 2026.
  • In September 2025, federal authorities detained approximately 450 workers, several from South Korea, during an enforcement action at Hyundai's Georgia complex.
  • On April 15, 2025, ICE announced the arrest of more than 1,000 illegal immigrant workers nationwide who lacked employment authorization.

The players

ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Joel Garcia

ICE El Paso acting field office director.

Steven Schrank

Special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Georgia.

Anirban Basu

ABC Chief Economist.

Lloyd Smucker

U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania who reintroduced the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act in September 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We will continue to aggressively pursue criminal investigations and enforce immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.”

— Joel Garcia, ICE El Paso acting field office director

“These ongoing, routine enforcement operations and arrests underscore ICE's unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who violate U.S. immigration law and threaten the safety of our communities.”

— Joel Garcia, ICE El Paso acting field office director

“While the extent to which undocumented workers have exited the workforce remains unclear, data regarding border encounters indicate that the flow of undocumented workers into the country fell precipitously in 2025 while voluntary deportations accelerated.”

— Anirban Basu, ABC Chief Economist

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.