ID Theft Investigation Leads to Immigration Raid in Omaha

No Action in Jefferson County But Investigation is Ongoing By Gordon Hopkins A meatpacking plant in Omaha was raided by immigration authorities on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, sparking protests in the area.ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) served a warrant at Glenn Valley Foods, near 68th and J Streets.According to a representative from Glenn Valley Foods, officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Marshals were also involved.The reason given by officials for the raid was not immigration status but identity theft.According to a statement from ICE, “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. The worksite enforcement operation is likely the largest to take place in Nebraska since the start of the current presidential administration, which has prioritized immigration enforcement efforts and strengthened focus on border security. The investigation is ongoing. More information will be forthcoming as available.” Local ActivitiesIn 2023, an investigation into possible identity theft was conducted by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Fraud Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Jefferson and Saline County Sheriff Offices, Crete Police Department and the Omaha Office of Homeland Security Investigations.On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, arrest warrants were served in Fairbury and Crete.A total of eleven individuals were arrested.A similar investigation is currently underway in Jefferson County. Jefferson County Sheriff Nick Georgi confirmed this at a meeting of the Law Enforcement Committee on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.“They're currently working a case again at our facilities, in our county,” said the sheriff. “But we haven't got any word that they're coming here yet.” The OperationA social media post from the Omaha Police Department indicated that OPS was not directly involved in the operation, “The Omaha Police Department is aware of ICE operations currently underway in Omaha. The Department of Homeland Security recently notified OPD of the operations and OPD officers responded to the areas for traffic control. Federal authorities are responsible for immigration law enforcement. The role of OPD is only to help with traffic control and public safety in areas close to the operations.”According to United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods, “During the operation, HSI encountered approximately 76 unlawfully present aliens at the facility.” “These workers were using Social Security numbers that had not been issued to them,” noting that the investigation was ongoing and no formal charges had yet be filed.U.S Representative Don Bacon issued a statement later that day, “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. Our office does not receive reports on individual enforcement and removal operations, but we support the rule of law. We encourage anyone with questions and concerns to contact ICE’s toll-free number 888-351-4024. They are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.”Also, representatives from Bacon's office went to the ICE facility to gather additional information.While some news outlets have reported a number of facilities were raided by ICE, Bacon's office indicates only a single facility, Glenn Valley Foods, was targeted.FJN has reached out to ICE for a statement but has not received a response as of press time. E-VerifyLike many employers, Glenn Valley Foods uses E-Verify, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) online system that allows employers to electronically confirm the employment eligibility of new hires in the United States.According to Representative Bacon's office, ICE verified that Glenn Valley Foods had complied with E-Verify, “and is a victim in this as well.”Glenn Valley Foods indicated, “Our company has continuously utilized E-Verify as part of our hiring process. E-Verify is a web-based system used by employers to confirm the employment eligibility of their employees. It electronically compares information from an employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA). This helps employers ensure they are hiring authorized workers.”Glenn Valley Foods CEO Gary Rohwer, told the Associated Press the plant is now operating at 30 percent of capacity as the company tries to hire new workers. Responses to the RaidGovernor Jim Pillen expressed support for ICE activities, “Under the Biden Administration, the country’s immigration policy absolutely failed the American people for four years. We have to address the issue of illegal immigration, and I support the work of our federal partners to ensure that the law is followed and I remain supportive of President Trump’s efforts to secure the border.”Other Nebraska officials are also in support, such as U.S. Representative Mike Flood, who said, “As immigration enforcement operations unfold here and across the nation, I want to encourage everyone to respect federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. America’s law enforcement agencies are the best in the world, and I know they will respectfully enforce and follow our laws as they carry out their work.”However, newly elected Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. expressed concern that the raid may lead to distrust of law enforcement, “(W)hat happened today causes fear in our community. 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.”The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska issued the following response from Executive Director Mindy Rush Chipman:“Immigrants are our neighbors, our coworkers and our loved ones. These raids are a direct result of President Trump’s inhumane federal immigration policies, and they will leave lasting damage in our communities. The Nebraska elected officials, business leaders, community advocates and others who have spoken up against today’s raids are exactly right: these harsh enforcement actions do not make us safer. They tear apart families and create a climate of fear and uncertainty.”

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