U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents assisted local law enforcement this week in enforcing immigration laws during traffic stops near the Meta data center construction site, according to statements from ICE and Sheriff Neal Harwell.
An ICE spokesperson said the agency was not targeting the Meta facility itself, but was conducting a “targeted operation” to arrest a specific individual wanted on a federal immigration- related charge.
“ICE did NOT target a Meta data center in Louisiana,” the spokesperson said. “Officers were conducting a targeted operation to arrest Carlos Alberto Amador-Sanchez, an illegal alien from Honduras who illegally re-entered our country – a felony – during the Biden administration.”
During that operation, the ICE statement said, agents also encountered and arrested a second individual.
“ICE also encountered Miguel Antonio Mendez Ortiz, an illegal alien from Guatemala, who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration. Both were arrested and are in ICE custody,” the spokesperson said.
The agency reiterated a voluntary departure initiative for those unlawfully present in the United States.
“We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now,” the ICE statement said. “We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
Richland Parish Sheriff Neal Harwell issued a separate statement confirming ICE’s presence and describing separate enforcement actions by local deputies.
“Today, January 14, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was present in Richland Parish,” Harwell said. “ICE agents assisted the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office with traffic stops involving dump trucks traveling to the Meta site. During those stops, two drivers were arrested by ICE due to their immigration status.”
Harwell maintained that ICE did not enter the Meta construction site.
“ICE did not enter the Meta site at any time,” he said.
In addition, the sheriff’s office conducted its own enforcement efforts on Jan. 17 focused on commercial vehicle traffic entering the construction area.
“This morning deputies with the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office focused enforcement efforts on commercial truck traffic entering the Meta construction site,” Harwell said. “During these traffic stops, thirteen individuals were stopped for traffic violations and found to be unlawfully present in the United States.”
All 13 individuals, Harwell said, were detained and turned over to ICE. The sheriff noted none possessed valid Louisiana driver’s licenses.
The individuals were identified as being from Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, Harwell’s statement said. One individual from Venezuela requested voluntary return to their home country and was processed through ICE.
Harwell also said his office has maintained daily contact with Meta officials during the ongoing construction project.
“With one of the largest artificial intelligence facilities in the world and one of the largest construction sites in North America located here in our parish, we are faced with unprecedented challenges – traffic management being one of them,” he said. “I have been in daily contact with Meta officials, who are actively cooperating with the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office to help keep Richland Parish citizens safe.”
