Fact Check: Did ICE agents arrest workers from Mexican restaurant where they just ate?
When ICE agents show up to a Mexican restaurant in Minneapolis trying to get food and nose around,but they’re told to get the hell out by the owner and staff! They were told not to come back unless they have a Judicial warrant signed by a Judge! 👍 pic.twitter.com/s5R0vRDP0E
— Suzie rizzio (@Suzierizzo1) January 15, 2026
WILLMAR, MINNESOTA: Recently, a report claimed that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested the workers from the same Mexican restaurant where they dined, after which several employees were detained at the closing hours. Let us look into the details of the account, examine public records, and official statements to fact-check the claim.
Claim: ICE arrests restaurant employees after eating
There are no words. ICE agents ate lunch at a small local Mexican restaurant in Minnesota, enjoyed their meal, then came back later that night as the restaurant was closing down and arrested the people who had served them. pic.twitter.com/AiCzp49d8d
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) January 16, 2026
According to reports, on Wednesday, January 14, ICE agents ate at a Mexican restaurant in Minnesota before arresting three of its employees who had just closed up the establishment for the evening.
The arrests happened in Willmar, which is about two hours from Minneapolis, where the ICE and Border Patrol have ramped up activities.
Fact Check: ICE agents dined at the restaurant before the arrest
On Thursday, January 15, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported, “An eyewitness who declined to give a name for fear of retribution, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that four ICE agents sat in a booth for a meal at El Tapatio a little before 3 p.m. Staff at the restaurant were frightened, said the eyewitness, who shared pictures from the restaurant as well as video of the arrest.”
“The arrest happened around 8:30 p.m. near a Lutheran church and Willmar Middle School, as agents followed the workers after they closed up for the night. A handful of bystanders blew whistles and shouted at agents as they detained the people. ‘Would your mama be proud of you right now?’ one of the bystanders asked.”
The report also noted that the status of the arrestees was unclear and added that the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries seeking information about the arrests.
Intense scrutiny of ICE after Minneapolis shooting
The scrutiny against ICE has intensified in the last few weeks, particularly after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, 34, by an ICE agent identified as Jonathan Ross, as she attempted to drive away from the officers during an immigration crackdown in the city.
Multiple polls suggest that the majority of Americans do not believe the shooting was justified.
According to a CNN poll, 51% of Americans think ICE is making cities less safe, while just 31% say they are making the cities safer. A Quinnipiac survey found that 57% of voters disapprove of the way ICE is operating.
