Harlingen restaurant owner recounts aftermath of being detained by ICE

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — El Control Mexican Restaurant in Harlingen reopened after several of its employees were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in June.

Restaurant co-owner Blas Garcia said he will never forget the day immigration officers entered the restaurant.

"It is something I don't wish upon anyone," said Garcia.

Several workers, including Garcia and his wife, were detained by ICE.

"I was standing here," said Garcia. "When I looked up, there was (the agent)."

Garcia said he spent 20 days detained at a facility in Port Isabel.

"The minutes become an eternity," he said. "The hours, the days, the weeks, although I was only in there for 20 days."

The family said the plan was originally only to open the drive-thru. However, that plan lasted only two days. People were lining up at the door to dine in.

El Control has operated in the Valley for 13 years. 

"We thought about maybe going somewhere else, which we did, but it wasn't the same," said longtime customer Juan Lopez. "The experience wasn't the same, the food wasn't the same. You kind of get used to wherever you go. We've been coming for several years. We are used to the food, to the people, and the staff."

At El Control, although everything seems to be back to normal, Garcia said that is not the case.

Garcia's wife was deported to Matamoros, Mexico. Garcia said he takes the loss day by day. His wife was not only a pivotal character in the kitchen for the restaurant, but also loved everyone who stepped into the restaurant, her husband said.

"I try to cope with it, because it hurts that she is not here," said Garcia. "I tell myself she is waiting back at the house. I just lie to myself."

Garcia's daughter Zory was also detained on the day of the raid.

"I feel blessed, and thank God I'm back and I'm working," said Zory with tears in her eyes. "Only my mom is not here. I just need my mom."

Garcia said his resilience comes from his faith. He is still not sure how the immigration agents ended up at his door.

"It may have been destiny or perhaps a tip," said Garcia. "Because we were aware they were in the area."

As for what changes the restaurant is implementing now, Garcia says they are making sure to only hire workers with a Social Security number moving forward.