Are You Prepared for an ICE Raid? What Every Restaurant Needs to Know

4 Min Read By Carrie Luxem

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified its focus on industries that employ large numbers of undocumented workers, and restaurants remain a top target. The question isn’t if ICE will show up—it’s when. And when that moment comes, will your team know what to do?

Recent enforcement actions highlight the severe consequences businesses face for non-compliance. A lack of preparation can lead to hefty fines, operational disruptions, and even criminal charges. Let’s explore past ICE enforcements against restaurants and, most importantly, what you can do now to protect your business.

When It Goes Wrong: Real-World ICE Enforcement CasesCase #1: Chuy’s Mesquite Broiler – A Costly MistakeChuy’s Mesquite Broiler, a restaurant chain in Arizona and California, came onto ICE’s radar in 2011 for knowingly hiring undocumented workers. The company’s owners and accountant were indicted on federal immigration and tax charges after it was discovered that over 40…