San Diego, California – A pair of immigration enforcement actions at two well-known Italian restaurants in San Diego drew an intense response Friday evening, as federal agents were met with protests, community outrage, and political condemnation.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed it carried out worksite enforcement operations at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta, both located on Beech Street in the city’s South Park neighborhood. The actions, part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) broader crackdown on undocumented employment, resulted in the detention of at least two workers and the temporary closure of both restaurants for the evening.
The raids quickly drew the attention of residents. More than 250 protesters assembled at the scene, chanting “Shame!” and physically confronting officers. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents reportedly used flashbang devices to disperse the crowd. Allegedly one protester threw trash at the officers. ICE agents, according to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, “faced verbal harassment, blocked roadways, and had their vehicles pounded on” during the confrontation…