Immigration Raid at Nebraska Meat Plant Deemed Largest in State Under Trump

A meat production facility in Omaha, Nebraska became the site of a significant immigration enforcement action on Tuesday, marking what the Department of Homeland Security calls the largest operation of its kind in the state under the Trump administration. Federal agents detained between 75 and 80 individuals, according to U.S. Congressman Don Bacon.

Glenn Valley Foods, the company operating the plant, expressed surprise at the raid, asserting they adhere to all regulations regarding employee immigration status. Company President Chad Hartmann stated the plant utilizes E-Verify, the federal system for checking work eligibility. Hartmann recounted telling an agent that the plant used E-Verify and the agent replied that the system was broken and he urged Hartmann to contact his local congressman.

The operation comes amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts nationwide. Sources have reported that the White House has instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to increase arrests of undocumented immigrants.

Similar tensions have surfaced elsewhere, with recent ICE actions in Los Angeles sparking protests. Demonstrators took to the streets following arrests at Home Depot locations, a garment factory, and a warehouse.

While local Omaha police were reportedly informed beforehand, Glenn Valley Foods claims they received no advance notice. Authorities executed a warrant targeting 107 individuals suspected of using fraudulent documents, according to Hartmann.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the raid on X, stating that no law enforcement officials were injured. ICE has initiated a criminal investigation into the company's employment practices, alleging the large-scale hiring of individuals unauthorized to work in the U.S.

According to an ICE spokesperson speaking to an ABC News affiliate, the search warrant was executed based on an ongoing criminal investigation.

The Center for Economic and Policy Research estimates that over half of all meatpacking workers in the United States are immigrants. The raid has drawn criticism from rights advocates, including the ACLU of Nebraska.