It was 1988 when I first started working in a restaurant in Los Angeles. I remember the incident when I sliced my hand open, cutting the apples for the apple pie. There was blood everywhere, and my boss rushed me to the emergency room. The chef lectured me that safety was the most important ingredient in the kitchen. He was right, of course, and my hand healed over time. Wounds do heal. But now in 2025, the issue of safety is at full display, with ICE raids happening in restaurants during business hours, and I want you to be fully informed.
ICE and Worksite Enforcement Actions.
Safety is the utmost priority in a kitchen. To prepare great food and give customers a wonderful experience in the restaurant, your workers and the food have to stay safe. When there are external circumstances beyond your control, they should be addressed to keep your workers safe. In 2025, immigration enforcement is an additional factor to consider when keeping your workers safe.
Recently, immigration enforcement agencies, such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, are collectively engaging in aggressive worksite enforcement actions across the country and across industries, including the restaurant and hospitality community.
The Administration’s surge in worksite enforcement actions across the country is part of a disturbing pattern: an immigration enforcement system focused on instilling fear rather than on upholding the law. ICE leans into and creates the public image of fear by being vocal about its increased focus on worksite immigration raids throughout the current Trump Administration, often boasting about them in their alerts, press releases, and social media, with photos on ICE’s website showing worksite enforcement agents wearing tactical gear such as ballistics vests and with firearms and face masks.
There is also a disturbing trend of unidentified agents conducting enforcement outside of worksites, with masked, unidentified agents arresting and detaining workers. This trend is likely to intensify given the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing federal agents in Los Angeles to target individuals for simply going to work at sites such as farms, restaurants, carwashes, and construction sites. Such tactics have set businesses on edge, leaving them with operational disruptions and a fearful workforce.
Ideas to Prepare for ICE in Your Restaurant.
Worksite inspections are becoming more challenging for employers and employees due to rapidly changing compliance requirements and increased enforcement measures. Employers risk civil and
criminal penalties, while ICE may detain workers. This complexity forces businesses to spend more resources on compliance.
Agencies offer little guidance on employment verification, leaving employers and employees confused about work authorization. This lack of clarity, combined with legal challenges, complicates compliance efforts.
Increased restrictions and the elimination of work authorization for some immigrants, along with a tripled ICE budget from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), will lead to more enforcement actions, instability, and fear. This budget increase indicates a shift toward aggressive enforcement, expanding worksite raids, and targeting individuals and businesses that benefit the economy.
To proactively address the challenges of ICE raids and deportation risks, restaurants should consider the following strategies:
1. Stay Informed and Compliant: Regularly update your knowledge of immigration laws and compliance requirements. Engage with legal experts to ensure your practices align with current regulations.
2. Develop a Response Plan: Create a detailed plan for handling ICE inspections. Train staff on their rights and responsibilities during such events to minimize disruption and ensure compliance.
3. Conduct Internal Audits: Regularly review your employment verification processes to identify and rectify any compliance gaps. This proactive approach can help mitigate potential penalties.
4. Foster a Supportive Environment: Maintain open communication with your employees about their rights and the support available to them. This can help reduce fear and uncertainty.
5. Prepare for Business Continuity: Develop contingency plans to address potential labor shortages and operational disruptions. This includes cross-training staff and exploring alternative staffing solutions.
By taking these proactive steps, restaurants can better manage risks related to ICE enforcement, support employees, and maintain business stability. Navigating these aggressive enforcement tactics will be complicated for the restaurant and hospitality industry. In 2025 and beyond, it is important for restaurant owners to engage legal support and work with professionals who specialize in immigration and employment law. They can guide you through complex legal landscapes. At the immigration practice group at Messner Reeves, we are here to help you through these turbulent times. No request is too small, and our lawyers are ready to assist. We want to keep you, your workers, and your kitchen safe. Contact Messner Reeves today.
Messner Reeves provides the restaurant and hospitality industry with comprehensive worksite compliance solutions, including I-9 compliance, audits, discrimination claims, H-1B LCA compliance, and more. For more information, please contact Immigration Attorney David Asser (DAsser@messner.com) of Messner Reeves.
