By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
In a dramatic escalation of immigration enforcement, multiple restaurants across Washington D.C. have reported surprise visits from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, raising widespread fear among workers and business owners. The ongoing operations, which have been described by some as a “whole new level of harassment,” have sparked concern across the city’s vibrant hospitality industry.
Reports confirmed that ICE agents visited several prominent establishments, including Pupatella in Dupont Circle, Chef Geoff’s near AU Park, Ghostburger in Shaw, and Millie’s in Spring Valley. According to the Washingtonian, the visit to Millie’s was particularly intense, with several armed officers arriving at lunchtime and demanding to inspect employment eligibility documents (I-9 forms). Despite the tense atmosphere, the restaurant’s management reportedly cooperated with the agents while ensuring employees were not directly questioned.
Bo Blair, owner of Millie’s, expressed frustration over the raids, questioning their focus. “We were under the impression that they were focusing on trying to find criminals,” Blair told Washingtonian. “And this is just a whole new level of harassment to our hard-working, law-abiding employees.”
Local restaurant owners and managers are not entirely surprised by the crackdown, which many had feared since the return of aggressive immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to Shawn Townsend, head of Washington’s restaurant association, local businesses have prepared for such scenarios, conducting “fire drills” and educating employees on their rights in case of ICE raids.
“We’ve run through a couple of fire drills where rumors [of ICE activity] were swirling,” Townsend explained. “It sucks, but they’re prepared for this.”
Immigrant advocacy groups, including CARECEN, are now working closely with the restaurant association to ensure that affected businesses understand their legal rights and options. The ongoing situation has reignited debates about the balance between immigration enforcement and protecting the rights of workers who contribute to the local economy.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Newspot Nigeria will continue to monitor the situation and provide accurate, timely updates.
