Federal immigration agents arrested 48 workers and two company executives during a major workplace raid in South Carolina, capping a two-year investigation into an identity theft ring that allegedly provided fraudulent documents to illegal immigrants seeking employment.

Coordinated Strike at Metal Casting Facility

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, working alongside state and local law enforcement, raided Burnstein von Seelen Precision Castings in Abbeville on Wednesday. The metal casting company, operating since 1985 in western South Carolina near the Georgia border, manufactures components using copper, brass, and bronze alloys. The operation resulted in immediate detention of nearly four dozen workers facing potential deportation proceedings.

Plant manager and human resources director faced arrest on criminal conspiracy and identity fraud charges for allegedly knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced both company officials received indictments from a state grand jury. They appeared at Richland County Courthouse in Columbia Thursday morning. Four additional suspects face charges for manufacturing and distributing fake identification documents using stolen personal information.

Investigation Started Under Previous Administration

South Carolina authorities launched the probe in October 2024, frustrated by what Wilson characterized as inadequate federal enforcement against identification fraud under the Biden administration. The investigation gained momentum after President Donald Trump’s inauguration last year, when federal agencies joined state efforts. Prosecutor Creighton Waters explained officials treated the case like drug enforcement operations, targeting both users and suppliers of fraudulent documentation.

ICE officials confirmed they are reviewing immigration status of all detained workers. Some detainees had previous ICE encounters, while others received prior deportation orders but remained in the country. The investigation remains active with additional indictments and arrests anticipated as authorities continue following leads.

Departure From Typical Enforcement Pattern

Wednesday’s workplace raid differed significantly from Trump administration mass deportation campaigns that generated controversy elsewhere. Business-focused immigration enforcement operations have remained relatively uncommon components of broader deportation efforts, with state officials driving this particular investigation from inception. Abbeville County, population approximately 25,000, sits roughly 90 miles west of Columbia in South Carolina’s western region. The coordinated approach between state and federal authorities represents cooperation Wilson said became possible only after administration changes in Washington.