Over 70 detained in major ICE raid at Omaha meat plant

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted what the Department of Homeland Security described as the “largest worksite enforcement operation” in Nebraska during the Trump administration at Glenn Valley Foods, a meat processing facility in Omaha, on June 10.

Federal agents executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into what ICE called the “large-scale employment of aliens without authorization to work in the United States.” According to ICE, more than 70 individuals were detained during the raid, with some facing additional charges including fraud, assaulting a federal officer, illegal reentry, and misuse of Social Security numbers.

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and federal law enforcement partners, executed a federal search warrant at Glenn Valley Foods, today, based on an ongoing criminal investigation into the large-scale employment of aliens without authorization to work in the United States,” an ICE spokesperson reportedly said.

The Department of Homeland Security reiterated the scale of the operation on X, saying, “This was the largest worksite enforcement operation in Nebraska under the Trump Administration,” adding that no law enforcement officials were injured.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told local media that between 75 to 80 people were detained. He later stated, “We understand people’s concerns for their loved one’s safety and have full confidence and expectations that ICE will operate within their legal authority and treat people with respect.”

Bacon’s office emphasized that Glenn Valley Foods had complied fully with the E-Verify program and had become a victim in the case involving stolen identities. E-Verify is on online Homeland Security platform that helps employers electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their workers.

Chad Hartmann, president of Glenn Valley Foods, said his company was surprised by the raid and maintained that they had followed proper hiring procedures using the E-Verify system. When Hartmann told this to a federal agent, he said the agent replied, “The system is broken” and encouraged him to contact his congressional representative.

“Our company has continuously utilized E-Verify as part of our hiring process,” the company said in a public statement. “Our company is not being charged with any crime. We have been 100 percent cooperative and will be transparent with all communications regarding this matter.”

Local law enforcement confirmed they were notified in advance. “The Department of Homeland Security recently notified OPD of the operations, and OPD officers responded to the areas for traffic control,” the Omaha Police Department wrote in a Facebook post. “Federal authorities are responsible for immigration enforcement.”

Among the detainees, ICE reported that some individuals had prior DUI convictions, outstanding warrants, or had been previously deported. One incident during the raid involved a Honduran national is accused of assaulting federal officers.

“Yesterday, an illegal alien from Honduras brandished a weapon and assaulted federal agents and officers who were doing their job: protecting American citizens, the public and businesses who are being victimized through identity fraud,” Todd Lyons, ICE acting director, said in a statement to KETV.

Although some reports suggested JBS was also a target of the enforcement action, a spokesperson for JBS clarified with KETV reporters, “At this point in time, there has been no ICE raid at the JBS facility in Omaha. It is being incorrectly reported that way.”

“What happened today causes fear in our community,” Omaha Mayor John Ewing said in a written statement Tuesday afternoon. “We do not want people to be so afraid they stop reporting crimes. Our Omaha Police Department will respond to 911 calls and not ask about legal status.”

Hundreds of protestors gathered in South Omaha yesterday to protest the raid. “Today, there will be kids who will not see their parents come home,” one protester said. Many expressed frustration that hard-working individuals were being treated like criminals. Signs and chants filled the streets, calling for immigration reform and urging lawmakers to protect families and essential workers.

“Immigrants are the backbone and the heartbeat of our country,” another participant said.

The criminal investigation remains ongoing, with federal authorities continuing to examine fraudulent documentation and unauthorized employment practices.