ICE agents reportedly ate at El Tapatio in Willmar, Minnesota, shortly before 3 p.m., then later followed and detained three restaurant employees after closing at about 8:30 p.m. The arrests occurred near a Lutheran church and Willmar Middle School while bystanders protested. The immigration status of those detained was not disclosed, and the Department of Homeland Security did not comment. The incident adds to scrutiny of ICE following a recent fatal on-duty shooting and polls showing public disapproval of the agency’s operations.
ICE Agents Ate at Minnesota Restaurant — Later Followed and Arrested Three Employees
ICE agents
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents ate at a Mexican restaurant in Willmar, Minnesota, before later following and detaining three employees after the business had closed for the night, witnesses and local reporting say.
What happened
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, an anonymous eyewitness reported that four ICE agents sat in a booth at El Tapatio shortly before 3 p.m. The witness said staff appeared frightened and shared photos and video of the later detentions. Around 8:30 p.m., agents detained three people near a Lutheran church and Willmar Middle School after following them when they closed for the evening.
Eyewitness reaction
Onlookers protested as the detentions took place; several bystanders blew whistles and shouted at officers. One witness asked an agent, “Would your mama be proud of you right now?” The Star Tribune reported that the immigration status of those taken into custody was unclear, and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.
Context and related incidents
Local reporting notes prior confrontations between ICE and restaurant or shop employees. In December in Brooklyn Park, officers allegedly posed as customers at a coffee shop and falsely told staff a car had been hit in the lot; when employees went outside, one was arrested.
ICE operations nationwide have been under increased scrutiny following a recent on-duty shooting in which Agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good as she attempted to drive away from officers. Multiple polls referenced in local reporting indicate a majority of Americans view that shooting as unjustified and express broader disapproval of ICE tactics. One poll cited by outlets found that 51% of respondents say ICE makes cities less safe while 31% said it makes them safer; another reported 57% of voters disapprove of how ICE is operating.
Official response
The Department of Homeland Security did not provide comment to the Star Tribune. White House Border Czar Tom Homan said on Thursday that ICE needs “to be better at messaging.”
Reporting note
This account is based on reporting from the Minnesota Star Tribune and published local coverage. Photographs and video from witnesses were shared with reporters; DHS had not issued a public statement about the Willmar detentions at the time of reporting.
Help us improve.
