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Three Guatemalan taqueria workers detained in Tallahassee ICE raid, restaurant shuts down

Oct 2, 2026·Location: Tallahassee, FL

Country of origin: Guatemala

Three Guatemalan taqueria workers detained in Tallahassee ICE raid, restaurant shuts down
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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

Oct 2, 2026—Community members raised nearly $13,000 via GoFundMe and the Tallahassee Immigrant Rights Alliance organized a protest rally at the restaurant
Sep 25, 2026—ICE and Florida Highway Patrol detained three Guatemalan workers after a vehicle stop near Chile & Chili's Taqueria; workers fled on foot before being caught
Sep 25, 2026—Remaining employees quit out of fear, and the restaurant later closed permanently
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