At least 46 undocumented workers were apprehended during a significant operation by the Department of Homeland Security at a freight warehouse in Avenel, New Jersey, federal authorities announced on Thursday.

This operation, conducted on Wednesday, was part of an ongoing initiative by law enforcement to enforce compliance with immigration laws at a federally authorized container freight station.

During the inspection, agents found that approximately 22% of the workforce at the warehouse, equating to 46 individuals, were undocumented, according to officials.

These individuals were taken into federal custody and are currently awaiting further immigration proceedings, as indicated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Surveillance footage captured undocumented workers boarding a van during the workplace immigration operation on October 29, 2025, in Avenel, New Jersey. (WNYW)

Surveillance footage captured the tense moments as federal officers escorted groups of workers into what appeared to be numerous waiting vans while the warehouse was surrounded by a heavy law enforcement presence during the operation.

DHS said at least 46 were taken into custody Oct. 29, 2025, in Avenel, N.J., after the agency conducted a sweeping workplace inspection. (WNYW)

The agency said the inspection was part of ongoing efforts to “safeguard the integrity of the supply chain and verify that warehouse operators are adhering to all applicable security requirements.”

“DHS is committed to maintaining the highest levels of security and accountability within bonded facilities to protect both U.S. commerce and the public,” a DHS spokesperson said. 

The DHS raid was conducted at a freight warehouse in Avenel, N.J., Oct. 29, 2025. (WNYW)

Officials did not name the company operating the warehouse or indicate whether the employer could face penalties.

The raid comes nearly two months after federal agents executed a similar operation at a Hyundai-LG battery factory in Georgia, where 475 individuals, primarily South Korean nationals, were detained on suspicion of being in the country illegally, signaling what appears to be a nationwide push on workplace immigration enforcement.