Business closed or owner taken
Restaurants and businesses closed after an owner or workers were taken
These documented stories describe restaurant and small-business workers and owners—taqueria staff, a car wash employee, bridal shop owner, restaurant co-owners—being detained or arrested by ICE at work or nearby in cities including Tallahassee, Flint, Bismarck, El Paso, and Charlotte, with businesses then closing or temporarily shutting down and employees left jobless. First documented in April 2025, this pattern became recurring by June 2025, which was also its peak month, and has since held a roughly steady share of reported cases.
First documented Apr 2025, recurring since Jun 2025.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
44 stories in 23 states. What accompanies this practice →
“It brought me and my mom and my family together. It brought me and my boyfriend together. I’m saying it brought the whole community”
Arizona
- 28 undocumented workers detained in ICE raids at Arizona restaurant chainTwenty-eight undocumented workers were detained in July 2025 ICE raids at four Arizona Colt Grill locations, leading to about 200 job losses and two restaurant closures. The owners face federal trafficking and wage charges, with trial set for June 2026.Yavapai County, AZ · Jul 15, 2025 · Copper Courier, The Arizona Republic, Visalia Times-Delta +2
- 28 underpaid workers arrested in ICE raid on Arizona restaurant chainTwenty-eight undocumented workers were arrested when agents raided four Arizona restaurants and an Alabama location, leaving about 200 employees jobless after the chain closed.Village of Oak Creek, AZ · Jul 15, 2025 · Copper Courier, Visalia Times-Delta, ICE
California
José: Car wash worker with U.S. citizen wife detained by ICE, loses jobJosé, a car wash worker married to a U.S. citizen and on a path to citizenship, was detained by ICE in August 2025. He was released on bond but found his workplace had shut down.Los Angeles, CA · Aug 9, 2026 · Daily Kos, Times of San Diego, OK.com- Jesus Q.F.: Father of four U.S. citizens detained by ICE at work permit appointmentA construction business owner and father of four, in the country since 2000, was detained again at a routine biometrics appointment. A judge ordered his release within 24 hours.Riverside, CA · Jul 6, 2026 · CourtListener
Brian G.: U.S. citizen pinned against gate by Border Patrol agents over his birthplaceBrian Gavidia, a 29-year-old U.S. citizen born in East Los Angeles, was pinned against a fence by Border Patrol agents at his car lot and had to close his business afterward.“I’m American, bro!” — Brian GavidiaMontebello, CA · Jun 14, 2026 · Los Angeles Times, My News 13, Bloomberg Law News +14
Abel O.: LA resident of 38 years self-deports to Mexico City amid Trump enforcementAbel Ortiz, who arrived in Los Angeles as an infant and ran a hair salon there for 38 years, self-deported to Mexico City. He now works as a stylist but struggles with grief and shaky Spanish.Los Angeles, CA · Mar 24, 2026 · Guardian News, LinkedIn, The Guardian
Victor R.O.: La Playa Taco Shop owner deported to Mexico after two-month ICE detentionVictor Rodriguez Ocampo Sr., 54, who ran La Playa Taco Shop in Mission Beach for about 30 years, was deported to Mexico after two months at Otay Mesa Detention Center. His son's GoFundMe has raised over $18,500 for the family.San Diego, CA · Dec 31, 2025 · Times of San Diego, PressBee, 10News
Victor R.O.: Longtime San Diego taco shop owner deported by ICE, restaurant closesVictor Rodriguez Ocampo Sr., 54, who ran Pacific Beach's La Playa Taco Shop for 30 years, was detained outside his home and deported to Mexico. His son kept the restaurant running before it closed in September 2026.San Diego, CA · Nov 20, 2025 · Times of San Diego, San Diego Ville, News Beep
José M.: Tamal vendor deported to Tijuana within two days, leaving family behindJosé Medina, 35, a tamal vendor, was arrested while selling tamales at a San Pedro 7-Eleven on Oct. 8, 2025. Community members sold his family's 720 unsold tamales after he signed a deportation order and left for Tijuana.San Pedro, CA · Oct 8, 2025 · LA Taco, Block Club Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times +2
At least 373 car wash workers detained in Southern California ICE raidsAt least 373 car wash workers were detained across 106 Southern California car washes since June 2025. One worker of 33 years described two months sleeping on a cold floor without medical care.Los Angeles County, CA · Jun 9, 2025 · ABC7, LA Public Press, Times of San Diego +2
More than 40 people detained in ICE raids in LA Fashion DistrictMore than 40 undocumented immigrants, including over 20 workers at a Korean-owned wholesale clothing business, were detained in June 2025 raids on LA's Fashion District. Some merchants closed stores and business in the area slowed afterward.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 6, 2025 · Korea Daily (English), Korea Times, Korea Times (Seattle)
Florida
Three Guatemalan taqueria workers detained in Tallahassee ICE raidThree Guatemalan taqueria workers in Tallahassee were detained after fleeing a traffic stop near their restaurant. One, 25, sends money home to her cancer-stricken mother; the taqueria later closed permanently.“It brought me and my mom and my family together. It brought me and my boyfriend together. I’m saying it brought the whole community” — Zwane Queeley, a Tallahassee residentTallahassee, FL · Oct 2, 2026 · Archyde, WCTV, KYMA +7
10 Orlando steakhouse workers detained by ICE, some with work permitsAbout 10 workers at a family-run Orlando steakhouse were detained after a workplace dispute led to a police call, including some with valid work permits. The restaurant has been unable to reopen since.Orlando, FL · Jul 10, 2026 · Telemundo 31, El Pitazo, La Antena
Georgia
Hundreds detained in largest single-site ICE raid at Georgia Hyundai plantAbout 450-475 workers, roughly 300 of them South Korean nationals, were detained at a Georgia Hyundai-LG battery plant; a year later no criminal charges were filed and the case was closed.Ellabell, Georgia · Sep 4, 2026 · NPR, CNN, Georgia Public Broadcasting +15- Rossville mother detained by ICE, family closes her coffee shopA Rossville coffee shop owner was detained by ICE after a traffic stop, prompting her family to close their three-year-old cafe and relocate to Mexico to support her.Rossville, GA · May 11, 2026 · News Channel 9, Times Free Press
Indiana
At least 28 people detained in ICE sweep of Clark CountyAt least 28 people were detained in a Clark County ICE sweep, prompting a local restaurant owner to close his shop after his brother was stopped by police in an unmarked car.Clarksville, IN · Jul 10, 2026 · WAVE 3, News and Tribune, WDRB Wave +1
U.S. citizen mother and two sons follow ICE-deported husband to HondurasAfter 15 years in Indiana, roofing business owner Manuel Montes-Lazo was deported to Honduras despite his marriage to a U.S. citizen. His wife and their two young sons sold their home to reunite with him.Indianapolis, IN · Jun 12, 2026 · Mirror Indianapolis, International Business Times, Florida Public Radio
Kansas
Mother with baby among dozens detained by ICE in Kansas meatpacking townsDozens were detained in a late-September ICE sweep across three Kansas meatpacking towns, including a mother taken with her baby, prompting protests and school absences.Liberal, KS · Sep 26, 2026 · High Plains Public Radio, KCUR, KWCH +3
Victor R.: Lawrence restaurant co-owner detained by ICE, deported to GuatemalaVictor Roman, co-owner of Los Guapos Latin Food in Lawrence, was deported to Guatemala in late April despite a GoFundMe and community support letters. His partner continues running their restaurants.Lawrence, KS · Apr 30, 2026 · Kansas City Star, Lawrence Journal-World, Lawrence KS Times +1
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Restaurant worker with valid work visa held by ICE nearly a monthA worker at Pancho's Taqueria in Circle Pines was detained while taking out the trash despite holding a valid work visa. He was held nearly a month, moved through three states, before being released in early February.Circle Pines, MN · Jan 15, 2026 · Bring Me The News, Hometown Source, The Review +5
Restaurant owners and dishwasher detained by ICE in Willmar, MinnesotaICE agents ate lunch at a Willmar, Minnesota restaurant, then returned and detained its owners and a dishwasher, prompting the restaurant to close early.Willmar, MN · Jan 14, 2026 · Upper Michigan's Source, KAIT 8, Newsweek
Nebraska
Nevada
- Las Vegas Latino marketplace closes over ICE raid fears, hurting vendorsBroadacres Marketplace, a nearly 50-year-old Las Vegas flea market serving thousands of Latino customers weekly, closed over fears of ICE raids, hurting hundreds of vendor families.North Las Vegas, NV · Jun 21, 2025 · NBC News, Nevada Current, Las Vegas Sun +2
- Broadacres Swap Meet closes as ICE enforcement expands across Las Vegas valleyExpanded ICE activity across the Las Vegas valley, including plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles, led to the closure of Broadacres Swap Meet, a major North Las Vegas employer, after more than 30 earlier arrests.Las Vegas, NV · Apr 15, 2025 · Nevada Current, Nevada Immigrant Coalition
New Jersey
Ari L.: Colombian bridal shop owner and mother detained by ICE in New JerseyAri Ladino, who ran a Teaneck bridal shop with his mother since 2024, was detained by ICE along with her; his landlord helped retrieve dresses for clients with upcoming weddings.Teaneck, NJ · Aug 19, 2026 · Jewish Link, Jewish Insider- Two Mexican brothers working at Haddonfield restaurant detained by ICE near homeTwo Mexican brothers who worked as kitchen staff at a Haddonfield restaurant and sent money home to family were arrested near their home; a community fundraiser has since topped $26,000.Camden, NJ · Jul 28, 2026 · Burlington County Times, Audacy, Pod Parley +3
Ruperto V.M.: Chef and father of three detained by ICE despite valid work authorizationRuperto Vicens Marquez, a chef, father of three and co-owner of Emilio's Kitchen, was detained despite holding valid work authorization through 2029. A GoFundMe has raised $85,000 and a judge granted him a bond hearing.Atlantic Highlands, NJ · Oct 30, 2025 · Patch, ABC7 New York, Asbury Park Press +6
New York
Carol B.: Green card holder held 7 months without bond hearing leaves countryCarol Black, a Jamaican-born green card holder in New York since 1983, was held seven months without a bond hearing, then sold his home and left the country after 40 years, ending his Supreme Court case.New York, NY · Sep 27, 2026 · ACLU, Slate, EXA +6
Jin Hao Z.: Camden restaurant owner held 8 months by ICE, forcing restaurant's closureJin Hao Zhang, 56, ran Camden's China Moon restaurant for nearly 20 years before ICE detained him, forcing its closure. He won an appeal and returned home to his family in March 2026.Camden, NY · Mar 1, 2026 · Rome Sentinel, WKTV, World Journal
North Carolina
North Dakota
Two Bismarck restaurant workers detained by ICE, restaurant temporarily closesTwo workers at a Bismarck Mexican restaurant, including the owner's nephew, were detained by ICE despite holding permanent residency and work permits, prompting the restaurant to close and dozens to protest.Bismarck, ND · Sep 25, 2026 · InForum, KFGO, North Dakota Monitor +2- Two Bismarck restaurant workers detained by ICE as arrests grow in areaTwo employees of a Bismarck restaurant were detained by ICE despite the owner saying they had work authorization, prompting the restaurant's temporary closure and a protest by about 75 people.Bismarck, ND · Sep 21, 2026 · InForum, Y94, North Dakota Monitor
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Jorge V.: Venezuelan restaurant owner seeking asylum detained by ICE in El Paso, TexasJorge Vilchez, who owns Caracas Latin Food in El Paso, was detained by ICE on July 16 after organizing a June earthquake relief drive for Venezuela through his restaurant. His asylum case remains pending.El Paso, TX · Jul 16, 2026 · CBS 4 Local, La Patilla, KFOX TV +2
Lester P.S. and Ismaray P.T.: Two Cuban pastors detained by ICE during routine immigration appointment in TexasLester Pérez Sánchez and Ismaray Paz Torres, a Cuban pastor couple who run a tire repair shop, were detained during what they thought was a routine appointment and remain held in Raymondville.Harlingen, TX · Mar 31, 2026 · CiberCuba, Cuba Headlines, KRIS TV
Genesis V.: Food truck owner forced to relocate after San Antonio federal raidGenesis Valadez, a food truck owner, captured footage of a raid near her business showing agents using flash bangs and destroying a neighbor's surveillance camera, forcing nearby food truck owners to relocate.San Antonio, TX · Nov 22, 2025 · KSAT, KENS 5, San Antonio Express-News +2
