A series of immigration enforcement actions is underway across Baldwin County, with one of the more high-profile raids taking place Tuesday at the taxpayer-funded construction site of the new Gulf Shores High School.
According to FOX10 News, federal agents conducted the raid on June 24 at the site located along the Foley Beach Express. The FBI Mobile Division confirmed that 37 workers suspected of being in the country illegally were arrested. The raid is part of a broader campaign targeting illegal aliens at construction sites throughout the county.
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The construction project is being overseen by Rabren General Contractors (RGC), one of the largest privately held general contractors in Alabama. In addition to the Gulf Shores High School, the company is also building the new Alabama State House in Montgomery, student housing at Auburn University, and the Margaritaville Resort in Orange Beach. RGC previously completed the Saraland Sportsplex.
During the raid, eyewitnesses described tense scenes as agents used aerial drones and lifts to access the roof of the building where several workers had reportedly concealed themselves by sealing shut a roof hatch. Some individuals were observed lowering ropes to descend in an attempt to flee, according to witness accounts shared with FOX10 News.
Rabren General Contractors provided a statement to the news station following the arrests.
“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.”
The City of Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores City Schools issued a joint statement to FOX10 News in response to the incident.
“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.”
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According to the news outlet, this is the first reported immigration enforcement action involving arrests at a public construction project in Baldwin County. Other private sites have also been targeted. In one instance, video footage reportedly showed individuals running around a pond at Raley Farms to evade agents. Separate dashcam footage captured officers questioning other suspects at nearby job sites.
The construction of the high school is a $137 million project scheduled for completion in 2026. It remains uncertain whether the arrests will impact the construction timeline.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
