WILLMAR, Minn. (WCCO) – A Mexican restaurant in Minnesota closed after agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement visited the spot for lunch then detained its owners and another worker.
El Tapatio, a Mexican restaurant in Willmar, closed early Friday after ICE agents visited the spot for lunch. The agents later returned and detained the restaurant’s owners and a dishwasher.
A 20-year-old man, who says his parents own the restaurant, planned to reopen the business Saturday under his leadership.
“Just wanted to make sure everything was OK, and apparently, it’s not because they’re closed now,” said Brentt Fees, who stopped by El Tapatio to show his support.
Fees says the liquor store he works at has lost 75% of its business since the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown began in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
Willmar is fewer than 100 miles west of Minneapolis and has a diverse population of a little over 21,000. ICE arrests have closed restaurants in the area, like El Tapatio, and left the community on edge.
“You have families that are scared for their life. People refusing to come out of their house,” resident Abdullahi Mohamed said.
Resident Abdulcadir Gaal is retired from Jennie-O, one of the town’s biggest employers. He spoke out about what he wants for his community right now.
“To get together and vote these people out. We’re not scared, man,” Gaal said.
Willmar Mayor Doug Reese says he’s urging residents to stay calm and to respect one another to keep the community safe.
In response to a request for comment about those detained at El Tapatio, the Department of Homeland Security said in part:
“On January 14, ICE officers conducted surveillance of a target, an illegal alien from Mexico. Officers observed that the target’s vehicle was outside of a local business and positively identified him as the target while inside the business. Following the positive identification of the target, officers then conducted a vehicle stop later in the day and apprehended the target and two additional illegal aliens who were in the car, including one who had a final order of removal from an immigration judge.”
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