More than a dozen illegal aliens were arrested after they tried to flee from federal authorities during a worksite immigration enforcement operation in Mississippi this week.
The incident unfolded on Monday in Pass Christian, a city in the Gulfport–Biloxi metro region.
Agents with ICE, CBP, ATF, and DEA traveled in a “convoy of unmarked vehicles” to Gulf Coast Prestress Partners, Ltd. to serve a Notice of Inspection and immigration subpoena following a tip provided to law enforcement.
Pandemonium broke out as workers began pouring out of the rear of the business and fleeing into swampy brush nearby.
Agents pursued the absconders, and with assistance of a DEA drone flying overhead, apprehended 18 foreign nationals from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.
“Two individuals had immigration court dates and work authorization and were released. One 16-year-old juvenile Mexican national was identified,” ICE explained in a press release.
“ICE Gulfport conducted overnight monitoring of the juvenile and transported the juvenile to Office of Refugee Resettlement custody.”
What started as a routine assist, ended with 20 apprehended at a worksite in Gulfport, MS.
— DEANewOrleans (@DEANEWORLEANS) February 25, 2025
Shedding their hard hats and work vests, agents moved quickly to find and capture those hiding in the brush.
Find the full story on our IG: @DEANewOrleans pic.twitter.com/l93zZ0QUBG
Damian Holcomb, attorney for Gulf Coast Prestress, released a statement on behalf of the company, claiming it “maintains strict hiring policies.”
“Gulf Coast Prestress wishes to address recent concerns regarding the hiring of unauthorized workers within our operations. We take this matter seriously and want to clarify that the individuals in question were supplied by a third-party staffing agency, which is responsible for verifying employment eligibility.”
Holcomb says the company has initiated an internal audit of hiring practices and is cooperating with federal investigators.