ICE RAIDS Legal Worker — Restaurants SHUT DOWN

(Oldglorychronicle.com) – ICE agents in Minnesota arrested a legal worker from a Mexican restaurant while community members fought back against federal enforcement, exposing the chaos of immigration operations under Trump’s renewed crackdown.

Story Highlights

Legal worker “Kevin” arrested at Pancho’s Taqueria, transported to El Paso within 12 hours
Surveillance video captures worker screaming “Ayuda!” as agents detain him in parking lot
Twin Cities restaurants closing due to worker fear following aggressive ICE operations
Community raised over $21,000 through GoFundMe for arrested worker’s family and legal fees

Legal Worker Detained Despite Valid Permits

On Tuesday evening around 5 p.m., plainclothes ICE agents detained Kevin, a legally present employee at Pancho’s Taqueria & Mexican Café in Circle Pines, Minnesota. The worker was accessing a parking lot storage unit when agents approached after observing the area for approximately 20 minutes. Surveillance footage captured Kevin screaming “Ayuda!” as agents removed him, causing him to lose his cell phone, glasses, and hat during the arrest.

Kevin was transported to the Whipple Federal Building Tuesday evening and moved to El Paso by Wednesday morning. The rapid deportation occurred within 12 hours of his arrest, despite his legal work permit status. A GoFundMe campaign established for his family and legal expenses has raised over $21,000, highlighting community support for the married father.

Restaurant Industry Under Siege

The Pancho’s incident represents part of broader ICE enforcement targeting Twin Cities Mexican restaurants. El Rodeo in Maple Grove experienced an ICE visit earlier that week, resulting in no arrests but triggering closure due to staff fear. The restaurant’s social media announced temporary shutdown as employees became afraid to leave their homes, forcing management to seek community volunteers and paid help.

Community response proved swift and substantial. El Rodeo’s volunteer signup filled within 90 minutes, with 75 people offering assistance, many unpaid. A separate GoFundMe for El Rodeo raised over $6,000 quickly. However, the economic impact extends beyond individual establishments, as Twin Cities Mexican restaurants face widespread staffing shortages and potential business failures due to worker intimidation.

Confrontations and Community Resistance

At Cancun Mexican Grill in St. Paul, diners confronted ICE agents with profanity and demands to leave, forcing their exit. The incident, caught on camera, demonstrates growing anti-ICE sentiment following recent federal agent shootings. Rep. Grace Meng and other Democrats labeled a January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent as “murder,” sparking protests at the Whipple Federal Building.

These enforcement operations occur amid Trump administration promises of immigration “reckoning” and DHS demands that Minnesota honor detainers. The timing follows Governor Walz’s administration, which DHS claims released hundreds of “criminal aliens.” However, cases like Kevin’s arrest raise questions about targeting legal workers rather than actual criminal threats, undermining public confidence in enforcement priorities and constitutional protections.