Federal immigration enforcement actions are sweeping through Baldwin County, Alabama, with one of the most notable raids taking place on June 24 at the Gulf Shores High School construction site, a major taxpayer-funded public project.

According to FOX10 News, agents with the FBI Mobile Division arrested 37 individuals suspected of being in the country illegally during the operation at the jobsite, which is located along the Foley Beach Express. The raid is reportedly part of a broader federal effort targeting undocumented workers on construction sites across the region.

The high school project, which carries a $137 million price tag and is scheduled for completion in 2026, is being managed by Rabren General Contractors (RGC), one of Alabama’s largest private contractors. In addition to Gulf Shores High, RGC is also involved in major developments like the new Alabama State House in Montgomery, student housing at Auburn University, and the Margaritaville Resort in Orange Beach.

During the raid, several dramatic moments unfolded. Witnesses told FOX10 that aerial drones and mechanical lifts were deployed to access the building’s roof, where some workers had reportedly sealed off a hatch to avoid detection. Others allegedly attempted to flee by lowering ropes and climbing down the structure.

In a statement following the raid, RGC said:

“Rabren General Contractors (RGC) is aware of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid that occurred at the new Gulf Shores High School construction site on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. RGC is fully cooperating with all authorities investigating this matter. We have no further comment at this time.”

Local officials also weighed in. In a joint response, the City of Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores City Schools clarified their position:

“The City of Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores City Schools are aware that a federal immigration inspection was conducted at the construction site of the new Gulf Shores High School. The construction site is under the complete control of the general contractor, and no city or school employees were present at the time of the inspection. For any further information regarding this inspection, we encourage inquiries to be directed to the involved parties.”

This appears to be the first known immigration enforcement action at a public construction site in Baldwin County, although private developments have also come under scrutiny. In separate incidents, agents reportedly detained suspects near Raley Farms, where dashcam and cellphone footage showed individuals running or being questioned by officers around other active construction zones.

The high-profile raid raises broader questions about labor oversight, contractor accountability, and the ripple effects on public projects in Alabama. With the Gulf Shores High School still under construction, uncertainty now surrounds whether the arrests will delay progress.

The incident also places a spotlight on how immigration enforcement intersects with public infrastructure development. Legal experts note that while general contractors often subcontract portions of the work, they may still face scrutiny over workforce verification practices.

The raid coincides with a surge in federal and state-level immigration bills, such as the one recently introduced by Rep. Barry Moore, which seeks to deport undocumented individuals convicted of DUI offenses.

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The ongoing investigation may prompt a closer review of hiring practices not just at Gulf Shores, but across other public works projects throughout the state. As the case develops, stakeholders from government to the private sector will likely face growing pressure to ensure workforce compliance with immigration law—without jeopardizing the progress of high-stakes infrastructure builds.

Originally reported by Sherri Blevins in Yellow Hammer News.