Federal officials announced on Thursday that a significant operation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) led to the arrest of at least 46 undocumented workers at a freight warehouse in Avenel, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
The operation was part of an ongoing initiative aimed at enforcing immigration laws, with law enforcement agents conducting inspections at a federally authorized container freight station.
During the inspection at the warehouse, agents identified 46 undocumented workers, which constituted approximately 22% of the workforce present at that location, according to officials.
All 46 individuals were taken into federal custody and are now awaiting immigration proceedings, as reported by the DHS.
Surveillance footage captured the tense operation, showing undocumented workers entering a van during the immigration enforcement action on October 29, 2025, in Avenel, N.J. (WNYW)
The video also depicted federal officers escorting groups of workers into several vans, as a substantial law enforcement presence secured the perimeter of the warehouse throughout the operation.
DHS said at least 46 were taken into custody Oct. 29, 2025, in Avenel, N.J., after the agency conducted a sweeping workplace inspection. (WNYW)
The agency said the inspection was part of ongoing efforts to “safeguard the integrity of the supply chain and verify that warehouse operators are adhering to all applicable security requirements.”
“DHS is committed to maintaining the highest levels of security and accountability within bonded facilities to protect both U.S. commerce and the public,” a DHS spokesperson said.
The DHS raid was conducted at a freight warehouse in Avenel, N.J., Oct. 29, 2025. (WNYW)
Officials did not name the company operating the warehouse or indicate whether the employer could face penalties.
The raid comes nearly two months after federal agents executed a similar operation at a Hyundai-LG battery factory in Georgia, where 475 individuals, primarily South Korean nationals, were detained on suspicion of being in the country illegally, signaling what appears to be a nationwide push on workplace immigration enforcement.
