Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota have been accused of deceptive tactics after they reportedly ate a meal at a family-run Mexican restaurant, only to later arrest members of its staff. The incident, which unfolded in the city of Willmar, has intensified local protests against a major federal immigration crackdown.
Lunch Before the Arrests
According to witness accounts given to the Minnesota Star Tribune, four ICE officers entered El Tapatio restaurant in Willmar at around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, 15 January 2026. The officers, who were photographed by patrons, sat in a booth and ate lunch at the establishment, which is located roughly 85 miles west of Minneapolis.
Staff served the officers, apparently unaware of their identities or intent. Witnesses described the employees as appearing "frightened" during the encounter. The restaurant later closed for the evening as normal.
Evening Arrests Spark Outrage
Hours later, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the same ICE officers are said to have followed staff members after they left work. The arrest of three employees took place near Willmar Middle School and a local Lutheran church.
Bystanders who witnessed the detentions reacted with anger, blowing whistles and shouting at the officers. One was heard yelling, "Would your mama be proud of you right now?" The identities of those arrested and the specific grounds for their detention remain unclear.
Part of a Wider 'Operation Metro Surge'
This event is not isolated. It forms part of "Operation Metro Surge," a large-scale immigration enforcement initiative ordered by Trump administration officials. Thousands of federal officers from the Department of Homeland Security have been deployed to Minnesota with a mandate to target immigrant communities accused of fraud and overusing social services.
The operation has led to a significant increase in violent interactions and widespread fear. State-wide protests have been ongoing since an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis just last week.
The heavy enforcement presence has rattled communities across the state. Reports indicate that ICE officers are frequently targeting businesses where they suspect undocumented immigrants may be employed.
Earlier this week, another Mexican restaurant in the Twin Cities, El Rodeo, was forced to close temporarily after an ICE visit, with staff reportedly too scared to come to work. In a separate incident at Pancho's Taqueria in Circle Pines, a legally working employee was detained after ICE officers waited in the parking lot, leading to the restaurant's subsequent closure.
Willmar, a city in Kandiyohi County with a population of around 21,000, has a diverse community. The 2020 census showed that about 40% of residents are people of colour, with one-third identifying as Hispanic. The recent ICE activities have placed this demographic squarely in the spotlight of the federal operation.
