San Benito restaurant owner backs ICE raid pause for workers

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Amid President Trump announcing the pause on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at farms, hotels, and restaurants, the owner of a San Benito restaurant says he hopes it is true.

Martin Morin, the owner of Blanquita's Mexican Restaurant, said recently he has had workers leave because they are simply afraid to be apprehended by ICE while at work. These workers have been with this restaurant for many years. The fear is rising after the recent increase in immigration enforcement across the nation and the Rio Grande Valley.

While Morin fills the positions left behind, he is helping those who are no longer working at his restaurant out of fear.

"We had people work for us for a long time, and you know they had to leave, and it hurts," he said. "Because that's how they made their living."

Morin said he knows some may not come back, even with Trump's recent pause on ICE raids at farms, hotels, and restaurants.

"They don't have their papers. They decided to leave out of fear, might not come back," said Morin. "We understand. We are not going to force them, but they are welcome to come back and try it out again and see what happens. Hopefully, this will stop because it is affecting a lot of people right now."

Morin said when he hires people, he focuses on their skills and not their legal status. This restaurant owner added that the kitchen industry is not easy. It requires long hours of hard labor.

"Not everybody is fit for it," said Morin. "This is hard work. Kitchen work is a hard job, and not everybody wants to do it."

Morin is looking to fill cook and dishwasher positions. He said that out of the seven people he hired last week, only three of them stayed.

"We do our best to try and hire the best employees out there, regardless of their legal status," said Morin. "Whoever wants to work is more than welcome to come over and help out and keep our businesses going."

Meanwhile, Morin said he is helping his long-time employees who are now in an area of uncertainty due to their legal status, both in cash and food.

Morin said the undocumented workforce is a driver in the economy, so he hopes things change soon.

"The money we pay them, they go out there and they spend it," said Morin. "They go and buy necessary things for their families: shoes, clothing, and food."

Morin said that as ICE raids continue, not only will it impact businesses, but also people's lives.