Sovereignty won the rain-soaked 2025 Kentucky Derby amid a horse racing industry increasingly anxious about immigration enforcement. The sport heavily depends on immigrant labor—estimated at 75% of backstretch workers such as grooms and hotwalkers—many of whom work on H-2B visas. Recent aggressive ICE raids, including one at Louisiana’s Delta Downs that detained over 80 workers, have exposed the vulnerability of this workforce and raised fears about the industry’s ability to function without them. Despite some initial hope following Department of Homeland Security guidance exempting certain industries from raids, the White House reversed course, intensifying uncertainty and tension across racetracks nationwide.
The reliance on immigrant labor in horse racing is complicated by political and legal challenges, including wage disputes and the precarious visa system. Industry leaders call for a common-sense path to legalization or work permits to stabilize the workforce, emphasizing that these workers are essential for the care and safety of valuable horses. The raids not only threaten workers but also raise concerns about animal welfare during enforcement actions. While many in the industry supported President Trump politically, they now face the unintended consequences of his administration’s stringent immigration policies, leaving the sport in a state of apprehension and uncertainty about its future labor force.
