Three Guatemalan taqueria workers detained in Tallahassee ICE raid, restaurant shuts down
Oct 2, 2026·Location: Tallahassee, FL
Country of origin: Guatemala

Reginaldo Quej, Erwin Orlando Xoy Acaham, and Catherine Migdalia Rax Sis, all Guatemalan nationals working at Chile & Chili's Taqueria in Tallahassee, Florida, were detained on September 25, 2026 when ICE and Florida Highway Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle suspected of carrying someone without legal status near the restaurant. The three fled on foot before being caught and handcuffed, with security footage capturing the scene; ICE said the taqueria itself was not the target. One detainee, a 23-year-old woman, worked to financially support her mother, who has cancer, and her two younger sisters in Guatemala. Owner Shannon/Marco Tenorio, a naturalized U.S. citizen, described the workers as 'good people trying to make a living,' said some were in the process of finalizing immigration paperwork or seeking asylum while others held DACA status and work permits, and noted it was the third immigration operation the business had faced in just over a month. Remaining staff quit out of fear, prompting the business to permanently close. An immigration attorney said none of the three had a serious or prior criminal history, though their legal statuses varied, and all remained in ICE custody at detention centers far from Tallahassee. Community members raised nearly $13,000 via GoFundMe, and the Tallahassee Immigrant Rights Alliance organized a protest rally at the restaurant.
Timeline
Sources
- Video shows Florida food truck workers fleeing from ICE during Tallahassee immigration raid
Fox News·Sep 29, 2026
- archyde.com
- Tallahassee food truck shutting down due to safety concerns after ICE detains three people, owner says
WCTV·Sep 28, 2026·archived copy
- Food truck workers in Florida flee from officers during ICE raid
KYMA·Sep 29, 2026
- Tallahassee immigrant group says ICE detained 3 people during raid at food truck
fox49.tv·Oct 1, 2026
- ICE reveals what led to detentions at Chile & Chili's Taqueria in Tallahassee as legal expert weighs in
WTXL·Oct 1, 2026
- New details emerge following ICE operation outside Tallahassee food truck, detainees awaiting removal
WCTV·Oct 1, 2026
- ICE confirms raid at Tallahassee Chile & Chili's taco shop
tallahassee.com·Oct 1, 2026
- New details emerge following ICE operation outside Tallahassee food truck, detainees awaiting removal - Chili Chili
chilichili.net·Oct 4, 2026
- Video shows Florida food truck workers fleeing from ICE during Tallahassee immigration raid - Chili Chili
chilichili.net·Oct 6, 2026
- ICE Raid Florida Taqueria Leaves Three Workers Detained
mundonow.com·Oct 5, 2026
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