SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) — Shockwaves are still rippling through the tight-knit San Diego neighborhood of South Park after ICE agents stormed local restaurants on Friday afternoon.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed to NewsNation affiliate KSWB/KUSI that ICE agents conducted two worksite enforcement operations at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta restaurants in South Park on Friday.
Renato Ametrano, the general manager of Buona Forchetta in South Park, told KSWB/KUSI that ICE agents showed up at his restaurant with a warrant around 4 p.m. before the restaurant opened and put all 15 workers in handcuffs before releasing most of them. Ametrano said he was arrested, too.
“It was very, very uncomfortable. They handcuffed everybody. The first ten minutes, they don’t give any explanation,” he said. At least two of his workers were detained, although witnesses say it was more, according to Ametrano, who told KSWB/KUSI that his staff is documented.
Federal authorities did not say how many people were arrested as part of their operations.
Meanwhile, emotions ran high as a growing crowd of neighbors gathered to watch. Some people started shouting at ICE agents as they attempted to leave, surrounding and hitting their vehicles. Agents used flashbangs at one point to try to disperse the crowd.
After seeing the heavily armed response spill from the restaurant, neighbors have not taken what happened sitting down.
“We’re organizing, but tonight I brought $50 to give for the families,” said Jean Di Carlo-Wagner, who frequents Buona Forchetta, told KSWB/KUSI on Saturday. “What they did was wrong, heavy-handed and traumatizing.”
Customers like Di Carlo-Wagner formed a line of supporters that never stopped after the restaurant’s doors reopened.
In a statement, Buona Forchetta said, in part, “We are working closely with our attorneys to locate and support our detained employees and their families.”
Immigration attorney Aman Nasseria said that there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to these raids.
“Whether these arrests will actually turn into something, that’s a different story, but to actually make the arrests and prove the point to make people either leave voluntarily or deter businesses from hiring people who are here illegally, that’s kind of the direction,” Nasseri explained.
What’s not being deterred is support from the community.
“I was going to order takeout, but thankfully they’re really, really busy,” said Golden Hill resident, Nancy Francis.
Several local leaders, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, have issued statements on the matter. Gloria noted in part that he “raised…concerns” and his “strong objections” directly with Homeland Security Investigations leadership.
Democratic Congressman Scott Peters stated on social media that his office will be investigating. A number of local businesses have also taken to social media, expressing support for Buona Forchetta.
Meanwhile, ICE says the investigation is ongoing.
The operations follow others recently at courthouses in San Diego. In those instances, ICE agents were in plain clothes. The tactics raise concerns among immigrant rights advocates.
“Most of it is for show. They don’t need to be so heavy-handed and so militarized in their response, especially when they are attempting to arrest hardworking individuals,” said Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee.