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In a decisive operation reflecting the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to enforce federal immigration laws, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans, with critical support from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans, executed an intelligence-driven enforcement action on October 30, 2025. The operation targeted immigration violations involving employees of Big “B” Services LLC, also known as Barrois Welding Services, at a shipyard located in Harvey, Louisiana.
According to ICE, the operation was the result of a months-long investigation that began in March 2025, following the arrest of an individual employed by Barrois Welding Services for immigration-related offenses. The initial arrest prompted a deeper probe by HSI New Orleans into the company’s hiring and employment practices.
As part of the investigation, federal agents issued both a Notice of Inspection and an Immigration Subpoena to company owner Russel E. Barrois, requesting documentation related to employee eligibility and verification. Specifically, investigators sought access to the company’s Form I-9s, employee identification records, and a current roster of staff members, as required under U.S. law.
However, despite repeated requests, ICE reports that Barrois failed to provide the mandated documentation. The company’s continued noncompliance triggered a more extensive enforcement response, culminating in the late-October worksite inspection.
On October 30, 2025, HSI New Orleans agents, supported by ERO New Orleans officers, executed the inspection at the Harvey shipyard. The mission’s primary objective was to identify and process individuals in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
During the operation, 25 undocumented workers from Honduras were encountered and taken into ICE custody. According to ICE, several of those arrested possessed prior criminal histories, which included offenses such as illegal entry, driving under the influence (DUI), discharging a firearm within city limits, and resisting law enforcement by providing false information.
In a public statement following the operation, Matt Wright, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for HSI New Orleans, underscored the agency’s dedication to upholding immigration laws and holding both individuals and employers accountable for violations.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and holding employers accountable,” said Wright. “We will continue to investigate and take action against those who fail to comply with the law.”
ICE confirmed that HSI New Orleans continues to examine the case to determine whether criminal charges may be filed against company representatives or others connected to the alleged violations.
The agency emphasized that operations like this one are part of its broader strategy to ensure compliance among employers and to safeguard the integrity of the U.S. labor market. HSI’s IMAGE (ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers) program plays a central role in this mission. The initiative encourages collaboration between the government and the private sector, providing education, resources, and guidance to help businesses establish lawful hiring practices and maintain a legal workforce.
Through outreach and training, the IMAGE program helps companies detect and prevent the use of fraudulent documents and supports the overall goal of strengthening national workforce integrity.
As the investigation into Barrois Welding Services continues, ICE officials reaffirm their stance that employers who knowingly hire or fail to verify unauthorized workers will face serious consequences. The operation in Harvey, Louisiana, they noted, should serve as a reminder that compliance with federal employment verification laws is not optional—but essential to operating within the bounds of the law in the United States.
