'We are hardworking people': ICE raids, arrests at local businesses

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Mass deportations continue to increase nationwide, including in the Rio Grande Valley.

Several of them have taken place at local businesses.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided several restaurants in Harlingen and San Benito.

El Control Mexican Restaurant in Harlingen was raided Monday. The owners say it was chaos when federal agents raided their establishment and detained several workers.

The owner of a local business next door says those detained are hardworking people like herself.

"We are hardworking people. We did not come to harm anyone. It is not fair what they did today. They took all of these people who were at their jobs. They are not criminals," said Maria of Mari's Barber and Beauty Shop.

El Control remains closed until further notice.

Taqueria El Mante was also raided over the weekend in Harlingen and at its San Benito location on Monday.

 "We're opposed to this; it creates all kinds of family separation, all sorts of fears in the community, it is going to create a major blow to the economy," said Rogelio Nuñez, Director of Casa de Proyecto. "Many of these restaurants are working as hard as they can to make a living, to have a restaurant open and do the business they want to do, but they won't be able to do it if you take their workers away."

Harlingen Mayor and immigration attorney Norma Sepulveda says it’s disturbing that federal entities have not made any local point of contact to warn cities like Harlingen of raids.

"These kinds of surprise actions, conducted without local notice or clarity, erode public trust and strain the relationships that make our community strong," Sepulveda said.