In the past few weeks several Baldwin County businesses and construction sites have experienced immigration enforcement by the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force. This week Federal agents carried out an immigration enforcement operation at the construction site for the new Loxley Elementary School, resulting in the detention of 11 individuals suspected of being in the country without legal authorization.

The action involved multiple law enforcement entities and reportedly unfolded without major disruptions to the ongoing work, though it has raised questions about labor practices in local public projects. Local school officials emphasized their commitment to following federal laws in all contracts, while community members expressed concerns about the broader implications for workforce stability in the area. This incident highlights ongoing federal efforts to address undocumented labor, particularly in construction sectors reliant on diverse workforces.

Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler issued the following statement:

“Baldwin County Public Schools is cooperating with federal investigators following a raid at the new Loxley Elementary School construction site. Our contracts with our construction projects require compliance with federal law. At this time, we have no indication of any wrongdoing. We remain committed to transparency and accountability in all of our operations.”

The raid took place on July 23, 2025, at the school construction site in Loxley, Alabama. According to reports from the FBI's Mobile office, unmarked vehicles arrived at the location, and a state helicopter was observed overhead during the operation. The site foreman temporarily secured the gates to manage the situation, but construction activities resumed shortly afterward, minimizing immediate delays to the project timeline.

RELATED ARTICLE:  FBI and Homeland Security Task Force Arrest 36 At Local School Construction Site

The Gulf Coast Homeland Security Task Force, in coordination with the FBI, led the effort, focusing on immigration compliance. While details about the detainees' nationalities or prior records were not released, the action was described as targeted at individuals lacking proper documentation to work in the United States. No criminal charges beyond immigration violations were mentioned in initial statements, and the detainees were processed for potential removal proceedings. The DOJ said they will not release what prompted raids.

The Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act requires contractors and subcontractors on publicly funded jobs to use E-Verify to confirm the immigration status of workers. However, some construction companies have expressed concerns about the system.