Jess and Billy Bartko, owners of Far Flung Outdoor Center near the entrance of Texas’ Big Bend National Park, were thankful for their FEWA membership when ICE visited their facility in February.
For Billy and Jess Bartko, owners of Far Flung Outdoor Center in Terlingua, Texas, the value of their FEWA membership became crystal clear when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unexpectedly visited their business earlier this year.
ICE, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is tasked with enforcing federal laws on immigration and customs. As part of their ongoing operations across the country, ICE conducts daily worksite investigations—often referred to as raids—to identify and detain individuals suspected of violating immigration laws. Public protests around these operations have also become increasingly common.
“We had an ICE raid at our facility in February, and thankfully, they left empty-handed,” said Billy, a commercial pilot from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Billy and Jess relocated to Terlingua in 2020, drawn by the beauty and tranquility of West Texas near the western entrance to Big Bend National Park.
In 2023, they purchased Far Flung Outdoor Center, which has been welcoming visitors since 1976 with river rafting trips, jeep and ATV tours, and 25 hotel rooms offering overnight accommodations—all just five miles from the Rio Grande and the Mexico border.
According to Billy, the ICE visit came after an anonymous tip. “They arrived with four trucks—one came onto the property with three agents, while the other three trucks waited nearby, presumably ready to transport any undocumented workers they might find.” Fortunately, there were none. Billy added that while the agents were professional and courteous throughout the process, the experience was still unsettling.
“It was very unnerving and scary to have agents pull up and demand documentation, even when done politely,” Jess recalled. “Without FEWA and the help we’ve received from them, this could have turned out very differently.”
In a rural area like Terlingua, the available workforce is limited. The Bartkos rely on six seasonal H-2B visa workers, both women and men, who make up their housekeeping staff and ensure Far Flung’s accommodations remain clean and welcoming. FEWA’s expertise in navigating the complex H-2B visa process has been crucial to the success of their business.
“We see our FEWA membership as a true investment in our business—it’s essential for us to be able to operate,” said Billy. “I’ve never been happier to spend that money than the moment ICE knocked on our door.”
Beyond H-2B visas, FEWA also assisted the Bartkos in securing H-4 visas for their employees’ spouses and children. This allows seasonal workers to keep their families together during their time in the U.S., which the Bartkos believe is invaluable.
“FEWA has been fantastic at facilitating the H-4 visa process and handling interviews for us,” Billy explained. “Keeping families together is something we care deeply about. These workers are not only essential to our business—they contribute to our local economy, their children attend our schools, and they are part of our community.”
The Bartkos say the professional service and peace of mind they receive from FEWA is unmatched—much like the memorable outdoor experiences they offer their guests at Far Flung Outdoor Center.
To learn more about Far Flung Outdoor Center, visit www.bigbendfarflung.com.