A new operation by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shocked South Texas following the raid by federal agents at least two local restaurants, where 17 migrant workers were arrested for failing to provide legal documentation to work in the United States.
In a scene that witnesses described as humiliating and painful, employees, including cooks and waiters, were forced to sit at the restaurant tables and, one by one, interrogated by officials. Those who could not prove their immigration status were handcuffed and removed from the place in front of the incredulous gaze of their colleagues and customers, reported Univisión Noticias.
In addition to the workers, the agents arrested the manager of the establishment, Juan Ramírez Cortez, who faces federal charges for allegedly hiring undocumented personnel and falsifying employment documentation, according to a statement from the federal prosecutor's office.
A woman affected reported to Univisión Noticias that her husband, daughter, waitress, and another employee from the business were also arrested. “They took everyone away. No one wants to go out, they are scared,” she said.
The raids had been suspended for several weeks following strong criticism and economic pressure, but this new operation, part of a coordinated investigation by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Texas state police, has revived an atmosphere of fear within the migrant community, including numerous Cubans residing in the area.
In another establishment in Harlingen, the owners, who are also undocumented, were arrested, and according to testimonies from the community, the impact of these raids is already being felt: absent workers, closed businesses, and a widespread fear that paralyzes daily life.
Raids vs. economy: an anticipated clash
This operation occurs amid contradictory signals from the White House. Although President Donald Trump recently acknowledged that immigration policy is affecting industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality, which heavily rely on migrant labor, his administration has intensified ICE actions.
Trump even stated that "farmers and hoteliers are losing valuable and irreplaceable workers," and proposed to study a “temporary pass” for agricultural workers. However, in practice, the crackdown continues: “There will be no safe spaces,” warned a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security recently.
Activists and community leaders warn that this offensive not only threatens undocumented migrants but also the economy of many cities and the emotional stability of entire communities.
In places like South Texas or South Florida, where the Hispanic community, including many Cubans, forms a significant part of the business framework, these operations have a devastating effect. According to recent estimates, the migrant workforce accounts for up to 50% in key sectors and generates over 80 billion dollars annually in taxes.
But for hundreds of families, behind those numbers are real faces: the cook who didn't come home, the waitress who was arrested in front of her children, the small restaurant that could no longer open its doors. And fear, once again, settles in as a routine in the daily lives of those who are simply seeking a better life.
Frequently asked questions about ICE raids and their impact on the U.S. economy
What prompted the resumption of ICE raids in Texas restaurants?
The raids were part of a coordinated operation by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Texas state police. Although the raids had been suspended due to criticism and economic pressures, they resumed as part of an investigation aimed at combating the employment of undocumented workers.
What is the economic impact of ICE raids in Texas and Florida?
The raids are severely impacting the local economy by causing the absence of essential migrant workers in key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. This has led to closed businesses, staff shortages, and a decline in overall economic activity, especially in Hispanic communities that sustain much of the local trade.
How does Trump's immigration policy affect the migrant community and industries in the U.S.?
Trump's immigration policy is creating a climate of fear among the migrant community, leading many workers to stay at home for fear of being detained. This has caused a labor shortage in critical industries, negatively impacting their operations and contributing to economic instability in various regions of the country.
What measures are being considered to mitigate the impact of ICE raids on migrant workers?
President Trump has suggested a "temporary pass" for certain agricultural workers that would allow them to remain in the country under their employers' supervision, paying taxes and with the possibility of legal return. However, this proposal has not yet been formally established, and the raids continue.
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