Between May 6 and May 9, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a series of raids at more than 100 restaurants and businesses in Washington, D.C., requesting I-9 forms to verify workers’ employment eligibility. These actions are part of the federal initiative “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” initiative, pushed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
During the operation, 189 people were arrested, although most of the cases were administrative in nature and no arrests of restaurant employees were reported.
Intense immigration control operation in D.C.
According to a statement issued by ICE, the intense immigration enforcement operation was carried out in coordination with law enforcement agencies.
“The District of Columbia is exponentially safer today thanks to the countless hours of investigative work and commitment demonstrated by ICE Washington D.C. and our partner agencies,” said Russell Hott, director of ICE Washington D.C.’s Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
During the four-day operation, ICE’s ERO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) divisions, along with their law enforcement partners – including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Virginia Department of Corrections, the FBI, ATF, DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service – targeted foreign national offenders with criminal histories, including members of transnational criminal organizations known to operate in the Washington, D.C. area, such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and the 18th Street Gang.
In addition to targeting criminal offenders, ICE also issued 187 inspection notices to Washington D.C. businesses to ensure they are complying with U.S. immigration and labor laws, according to the same release.
Impact on the restaurant industry
The D.C. restaurant community has expressed concern about the impact of these ICE raids.
Many employees, even those with legal immigration status, have chosen not to report to work for fear of being detained.
Durante el operativo, 189 personas fueron arrestadas
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This has led to a shortage of personnel in a sector that was already facing challenges due to inflation and rising labor costs.
Shawn Townsend, president of the Washington Restaurant Association, noted:
“The current political climate, coupled with economic challenges, is contributing to workers’ anxiety levels.”
Reactions from local authorities
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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed concern about the raids.
He indicated that “it looks like ICE is in restaurants or even in neighborhoods, and it doesn’t look like they are looking for criminals.”
Although local authorities cannot legally prevent audits by the Department of Homeland Security(DHS), they have urged residents to know their rights and to seek legal advice if necessary.
Workers’ rights
Immigration attorneys and community organizations have emphasized the importance of workers knowing their rights during these inspections.
It is recommended not to open the door without a valid court order, to exercise the right to remain silent and not to sign documents without the presence of an attorney.
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