ICE Detains Two Truck Drivers En Route to Meta's Data Center Project

On Wednesday, two truck drivers were stopped and detained by immigration authorities near a Meta construction endeavor in Louisiana, authorities confirmed.

These individuals were apprehended during a routine vehicle inspection on their way to the site.

Importantly, the local sheriff's office emphasized that ICE did not physically enter the Meta construction site.

Incident Details and Location

In Richland Parish, Louisiana, where the extensive Hyperion Data Center is being built, the Sheriff's Office announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended two dump truck operators during routine checks.

Both drivers, originally hailing from Guatemala and Honduras, were taken into custody due to issues with their immigration documentation.

The sheriff's office reiterated that ICE operations remained outside the premises of the Meta development.

Meta and Broader Implications

Meta has chosen not to provide any comments to Business Insider regarding this incident.

This construction project stands as the most sizable among several data centers as Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, pushes to enhance AI computing capabilities.

The recent detentions underscore a perennial challenge faced by businesses: ensuring their workforce is prepared for potential ICE interactions, regardless of location.

Wider Context and State Politics

This episode coincides with heightened ICE operations across numerous American communities, stirring opposition particularly from states governed by Democrats.

Louisiana's Governor, Jeff Landry, is a well-known advocate of President Donald Trump's immigration directives. Public records highlight that Louisiana receives close to a million dollars monthly for housing detainees in its Angola prison facility.