“Yesterday’s enforcement action is part of ICE’s ongoing nationwide effort to shut down the employment magnet fueling illegal immigration,” ICE Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Investigations in New Orleans Michael Holt said. “We are committed to strengthening the integrity of our nation’s immigration system.”

After interviewing, fingerprinting, and photographing each of the 595 people, about 475 suspects were taken to an ICE facility in Jena, La., where they will await the outcome of their individual cases. The eight people who appeared in court Tuesday are in custody of the U. S. Marshal’s Service.