(Image source from: Dallas Morning News)

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a North Texas business on Tuesday and detained about 160 undocumented immigrant workers.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations office in Dallas said the operation was thought to be one of the largest of its kind nationally in a decade.

The raid was part of a criminal investigation into the Sumner-based company Load Trail for illicitly employing foreign workers - an infrequent enforcement move reserved for repeat violators.

Agents wore body cameras throughout what they called a targeted enforcement operation.

"Businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens create an unfair advantage over their competing businesses," said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. "In addition, they take jobs away from the U.S. citizens and legal residents, and they create an atmosphere poised for exploiting their illegal workforce."

As ICE and Homeland Security detained about 160 people at the business, the five were released on-the-spot since they were the sole caregiver of a child.

The leftover 155 are being held at various different facilities across the state.

By Sowmya Sangam