Federal and state authorities executed a coordinated raid on a South Carolina metal casting facility Wednesday, detaining 48 workers on immigration violations while arresting company executives for allegedly orchestrating a systematic scheme to employ illegal immigrants using stolen identities.

Two-Year Investigation Culminates in Arrests

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers descended on Burnstein von Seelen Precision Castings in Abbeville following a probe that began in October 2024. The company’s plant manager and human resources director face criminal conspiracy and identity fraud charges for knowingly hiring workers illegally present in the United States. A state grand jury indicted both executives alongside four additional individuals accused of manufacturing and distributing fraudulent identification documents using stolen personal information from American citizens.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the enforcement action during a Thursday news conference, noting the arrested executives would appear at Richland County Courthouse in Columbia. The metal casting business, founded in 1985, specializes in copper, brass, and bronze alloy components for various industrial applications. Burnstein von Seelen operates in Abbeville County, a western South Carolina community of approximately 25,000 residents located 90 miles from Columbia near the Georgia border.

Federal Cooperation Shifts Under New Administration

State officials initiated the investigation amid frustration over limited federal action against identity theft operations during the Biden administration, according to Wilson. The cooperation dynamic transformed dramatically after President Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025, with federal authorities joining forces with state investigators. Prosecutor Creighton Waters explained authorities modeled their approach after drug trafficking investigations, targeting both users of fraudulent documents and the criminal networks supplying them. The 48 detained workers now face immigration status reviews, with ICE officials confirming some individuals had previous agency encounters and outstanding deportation orders.

Broader Implications for Enforcement Strategy

Wednesday’s operation represents a departure from typical mass deportation tactics that have characterized Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. Business-focused immigration raids comprise a relatively minor component of broader deportation efforts, with state agencies leading this particular investigation rather than federal authorities taking primary control. Wilson emphasized additional indictments and arrests remain possible as investigators continue examining the fake identification network. The coordinated approach signals renewed commitment to prosecuting employers who exploit illegal labor while simultaneously dismantling the document fraud infrastructure enabling such arrangements to persist across multiple industries.