Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota have sparked outrage after arresting three employees from a family-owned Mexican restaurant just hours after dining there as customers.
The Incident at El Tapatio
The controversial event unfolded in Willmar, Minnesota, on Thursday 16 January 2026. According to witness accounts, four ICE agents first visited El Tapatio restaurant for lunch. Later that evening, after the establishment had closed, the same officers reportedly returned and detained three members of staff.
Bystanders described a tense scene, with officers allegedly following the employees and members of the public shouting at the arresting agents. The incident has been widely condemned as a breach of trust within the local community.
Part of 'Operation Metro Surge'
This arrest is not an isolated case. It forms a key part of a broader immigration crackdown known as 'Operation Metro Surge'. This enforcement drive across Minnesota has significantly heightened tensions, leading to public demonstrations and widespread fear within immigrant communities.
The operation's impact extends beyond El Tapatio. Other Mexican restaurants across the state, including El Rodeo and Pancho's Taqueria, have faced similar ICE actions. The consequences have been severe, resulting in either permanent closures or staff being too frightened to report for work, crippling local businesses.
Community Fallout and Protests
The tactics employed by ICE have ignited fierce debate about the ethics of immigration enforcement. The decision to target a business where officers were recently patrons has been viewed as particularly deceptive and heavy-handed.
This sentiment was amplified by a separate, violent incident during a related protest, where police shot an anti-ICE protester in the eye with a pepper ball at close range. These events collectively paint a picture of a state grappling with the intense and often brutal realities of aggressive immigration policy.
The fallout from Operation Metro Surge continues to ripple through Minnesota, raising critical questions about community policing, the treatment of migrant workers, and the future of small businesses that rely on immigrant labour.
