Minnesota Outrage: ICE Agents Dine at Restaurant, Then Detain Workers Hours Later in Willmar

WILMAR, Minn. — A controversial law-enforcement incident in central Minnesota is drawing national attention after federal immigration agents were reported to have eaten at a family-run Mexican restaurant and later detained some of its staff that same evening.

According to eyewitness accounts reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune, four U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers sat down for a midday meal at El Tapatio, a well-known local eatery in Willmar, at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Hours after the restaurant closed for the night, the same officers were seen following employees near a nearby Lutheran church and middle school. Around 8:30 p.m., three restaurant workers were taken into custody by ICE agents, witnesses said.

Bystanders who observed the arrests expressed shock and concern, with some heckling officers and loudly questioning their actions. “Would your mama be proud of you right now?” was among the comments reported from the scene.

As of publication, the identities of the detained employees and the specific grounds for their arrests have not been officially disclosed by authorities. ICE and the restaurant have not issued immediate public statements confirming the details.

This incident comes amid Operation Metro Surge, a large immigration-enforcement initiative by the Department of Homeland Security that has increased federal presence in Minnesota and neighboring communities. The operation has included multiple rounds of arrests and has already stirred tensions statewide.

Community reaction has been swift, with many residents and activists condemning the sequence of events. Critics have labeled the move as insensitive and potentially harmful to immigrant families who frequent and work in local businesses. Conversely, immigration authorities maintain that ongoing efforts are aimed at enforcing U.S. immigration laws responsibly.

The event adds to a growing list of controversial interactions between immigration enforcement personnel and local communities in Minnesota, particularly after recent high-profile use of force incidents that triggered statewide protests and political debate.

As more details emerge, the Willmar incident is likely to fuel further discussion about federal immigration enforcement tactics, civil liberties, and community trust.