Three workers at El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant in Willmar, Minnesota, served lunch to agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday, only to be detained later that day by the same officials. The incident unfolded when a dishwasher and two owners learned of the agents’ presence in their establishment, prompting them to close early. Following their departure, ICE conducted arrests, leading to community concern and heightened police activity in the area.
El Tapatio has remained shuttered since the arrests, but the owners’ son announced plans to reopen the restaurant to customers on Thursday. Willmar Mayor Doug Reese issued a statement reminding residents that “ICE is a federal agency carrying out federal responsibilities,” and he called for respect for “peaceful, lawful protest.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the target of the detentions as Jose Rosario Gomez. In a statement to the Daily Caller, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explained that the officers later stopped a vehicle, apprehending Gomez along with two additional individuals, one of whom had a final order of removal from an immigration judge.
Community Response and Tensions Rise
The atmosphere in Willmar has shifted noticeably, with residents reporting increased police presence and some businesses closing in response to the ICE actions. Local reports indicated that streets appeared to function normally, despite the heightened activity.
On the same day, ICE agents faced verbal hostility at another Mexican restaurant in Minneapolis. Diners there shouted expletives and demanded the agents leave the premises, forcing them to exit. This incident highlights the growing tensions surrounding ICE operations in Minnesota, particularly amid ongoing protests against the agency following recent violent events.
Demonstrations have escalated in Minneapolis, now entering their second week after a protester was fatally shot while attempting to run over ICE agents with her vehicle. In a separate incident, federal law enforcement officers shot an illegal Venezuelan national during an ambush while attempting to make an arrest. The situation has ignited discussions about immigration enforcement and community safety, with varying opinions surfacing within the public discourse.
As the community grapples with these developments, the future of businesses like El Tapatio remains uncertain, reflecting the broader challenges surrounding immigration policy and local law enforcement. The impact of these ICE operations continues to resonate in Willmar and beyond, sparking conversations about the balance between federal responsibilities and community rights.
