ICE operation in El Paso leads to 38 arrests and rescue of child workers

The enforcement action targeted construction sites in Texas and New Mexico.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations in El Paso, Texas, conducted a targeted enforcement operation from January 11 to 19 that resulted in the arrest of 38 individuals and the rescue of child workers at construction sites in El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

Why it matters

The operation highlights ongoing concerns about labor exploitation, including the use of undocumented child workers, in the construction industry. It also demonstrates ICE's continued focus on immigration enforcement actions, which have faced criticism from some advocates.

The details

The ICE operation, conducted in collaboration with local law enforcement partners, targeted construction sites in the El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, areas. During the enforcement action, 38 individuals were arrested, and authorities also rescued an unspecified number of child workers who were found to be employed at the construction sites.

  • The operation took place from January 11 to 19, 2026.

The players

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations El Paso

The El Paso field office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations division, which is responsible for immigration enforcement actions in the region.

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The takeaway

This enforcement action highlights the ongoing challenges around labor exploitation and the use of undocumented workers, particularly in industries like construction. It also demonstrates the continued focus of immigration authorities on conducting targeted operations, which have drawn criticism from some advocates concerned about the impact on immigrant communities.