Some of the restaurants belonging to Arizona Mexican food chain Taco Giro that were closed following a series of federal immigration enforcement actions are not reopening. The raids led to dozens of arrests across southern Arizona last week.
Taco Giro’s management confirmed that seven of its locations, primarily in and around Tucson, remained closed indefinitely following the raids, with the closures affecting staff, customers and surrounding communities, according to Green Valley News.
Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Taco Giro for comment via email outside office hours.
Why It Matters
The closures of several Taco restaurants are a byproduct of the Trump administration’s blueprint for mass deportations and strict immigration enforcement, which targets businesses employing undocumented workers. Business leaders have expressed concerns that widespread raids can exacerbate labor shortages in key sectors, disrupt local economies, and unsettle communities that rely on immigrant labor.
What To Know
Cesar Rodriguez, director of operations for Taco Giro, told Green Valley News that about 10 percent of the company’s employees were detained by ICE.
He told the outlet that three Taco Giro locations have reopened, in Tucson on Valencia in Tuscon, Casa Grande and Sierra Vista, and that the chain plans to gradually reopen additional restaurants as it recruits and trains staff. He also said that the Country Club of Green Valley location lost about six employees, even though no agents ever visited that site.
“Basically, they corralled everyone in the homes where they were living, which was a couple of houses. And they came into the establishment to verify documentation and some questioning items what they were investigating on and pretty much that was it,” Rodriguez told Green Valley News.
Rodriguez told the outlet that none of the detained employees have contacted the company, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations Arizona and federal partners executed 16 search warrants in southern Arizona on December 5, part of what the agency described as a years‑long investigation of a “transnational criminal organization involved in labor exploitation, tax violations, and immigration violations.”
The operation spanned multiple jurisdictions, including homes and businesses, and resulted in 46 arrests, according to ICE officials.
Rodriguez said accusations had been made that undocumented employees had been paid “cash under the table.”
“There were a lot of false allegations that we were drug smuggling and child trafficking. It was just ridiculous,” he added.
The presence of federal agents at several Taco Giro locations also sparked protests by residents and activists, some of whom attempted to block federal vehicles and question agents about the operation, according to the Marshall Project.
Video from local outlets show federal officers deploying chemical agents such as pepper spray and pepper balls to disperse crowds outside the restaurants.
During the confrontations, U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D‑Ariz.), whose congressional district includes parts of Tucson, said she was pepper‑sprayed by an ICE agent when she approached the scene and identified herself while seeking information about the raids.
DHS disputed the Democratic lawmaker’s account, saying Grijalva was near someone who was sprayed and criticizing protestors for “obstructing and assaulting law enforcement.”
What People Are Saying
Taco Giro wrote in a post on social media: “Our restaurant will be temporarily closed. While we take a short pause to make a few necessary adjustments so we can continue offering the warm service and unique flavors you love, we truly appreciate your patience and your continued support during this time. We’ll be ready to welcome you back very soon with the same love, passion, and flavors that always make you feel at home. Thank you for being part of our family.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede said in a press release issued by ICE: “This multiyear investigation that targeted TCOs alleged to be involved in human smuggling, human trafficking derived from peonage resulted in the shutdown of the restaurants.
“These enforcement actions have unequivocally disrupted this criminal organization’s ability to exploit our lawful labor and system of commerce. This agency will not stand for it and those seeking to continue such practices are on notice — there will be more enforcement operations in Arizona.”
What Happens Next
The Trump administration will continue implementing plans for federal immigration and labor enforcement operations across Arizona.
