Federal immigration officials raid Loudoun resort; 59 arrested

WASHINGTON – Federal immigration authorities arrested 59 workers at a luxury Loudoun County resort Tuesday on suspicion of being in the country illegally. The early-morning raid at Lansdowne Resort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents was the result of an inspection into the workers’ employment documents that began in the summer, said ICE spokesman Michael Keegan.

He said the agency found the suspected illegal immigrants had falsified or stolen I-9 forms, which certify the legal ability to work in the United States.

Of the 59 workers, two females were immediately released for “humanitarian concerns,” and six were arrested outside of Lansdowne. About 100 employees were interviewed, according to ICE.

The remaining 57 were taken to an undisclosed federal facility in the area where ICE conducted “a more in-depth processing and investigation,” Keegan said. They all will be interviewed by Department of Health and Human Services staff.

Those arrested are nationals of Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, the agency said.

A spokeswoman for Lansdowne could not be immediately reached Tuesday.

The hotel resort sits near Leesburg on Woodridge Parkway about 15 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport, and features 305 “sumptuously appointed guest rooms and suites,” two 18-hole golf courses, a short nine-hole course and other amenities.

A warrant was not necessary because the hotel had cooperated throughout the investigation, Keegan said.

Just two weeks ago, on March 24, ICE agents arrested 34 illegal immigrants at two CMC Concrete Construction work sites in Manassas.