Federal authorities arrested the owners of a Texas donut shop after discovering they were employing eight illegal aliens, despite knowing they had no legal authorization to work in the United States.
On February 12, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)agents conducted a worksite enforcement action at Abby’s Bakery in Los Fresnos, Texas. Upon arrival, agents encountered Leonardo Baez and Nora Alicia Avila-Guel, both of whom are Mexican nationals with legal permanent resident status in the U.S.
During their investigation, ICE agents discovered eight illegal aliens working at the donut shop. The shop owners admittedthey knew the workers had no legal authorization to be in the country or employed in their business. They also acknowledged that they were illegally harboring them, violating 8 USC 1324—a federal statute that prohibits shielding or employing illegal immigrants.
At least two of the illegal workers confirmed to investigators that they lacked documentation and that the owners knew their status. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas reviewed the evidence and determined there was sufficient cause to charge Baez and Avila-Guel with harboring illegal aliens.
The arrests come amid a broader immigration enforcement effort under the Trump administration’s renewed border policies. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan have vowed to target businesses and individuals who harbor illegal aliens.
Noem recently issued a stern warning, declaring, “We will hunt you down,” while Homan has suggested that elected officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement could face prosecution.
The case against the bakery owners underscores the administration’s commitment to strict enforcement of immigration laws and its pledge to hold businesses accountable for hiring illegal workers.
