ICE And Homeland Security Busts 8 Illegal Aliens And The Business Owners They Say Harbored Them

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) busted eight illegal aliens in a workplace raid in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, with the business owners now facing federal charges for harboring their unlawfully present workers.

The joint operation took place in the border town of Los Fresnos at Abby’s Bakery. The owners, federal authorities say, both admitted that they were aware of the immigration status of the illegal aliens they had hired and harbored on the property.

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

According to a legal document from an HSI special agent, the illegal aliens confirmed that the two owners, Leonardo Baez and Nora Alicia Avila-Guel, knew of their status.

“Roberto Ibarra Otero is a citizen of Mexico with no documents to remain in the United States,” the authorities said of one of the illegal aliens captured.

The owners will be prosecuted under 8 USC 1324, which outlines penalties for those who attempt to conceal or harbor illegal aliens or shield them from detection. The law explains that those found guilty could face fines and imprisonment for up to ten years per violation.

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The arrest of the business owners could mark an evolution of the Trump administration’s strategy to discourage illegal immigration by disincentivizing business owners from employing and/or harboring illegal aliens.

There are currently laws in some states that intend to prevent the hiring of illegal aliens, mandating that businesses use the E-Verify system to ensure the legal status of job applicants.

Texas does not currently require most private businesses use E-Verify to ensure the legal status of job applicants, only requiring the practice for public employees and certain select industries. Both California and Illinois currently restrict the ability of businesses to voluntarily use the E-Verify program.