KANSAS CITY, Kansas (KCTV) – Several people were arrested in immigration raids conducted at Mexican restaurants in the Kansas City area, witnesses told our sister station KCTV5.
At two El Toro Loco locations — West Lenexa and KCK Legends — the raids took place on July 30. An immigration attorney said seven workers were arrested. While “four to five workers were placed under custody” at the Lenexa location, according to the pro-immigrant Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR).
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division has not yet confirmed the number of those detained.
“Due to an ongoing investigation, HSI cannot provide any information,” they told KCTV5.
Tricia McLaughlin, the Undersecretary of Homeland Security, said in a statement after the operations: “ICE was executing a warrant to rescue trafficking victims. Extremists and activists attempted to interfere by calling the agents Nazis. Unfortunately, this kind of obstruction to operations has become more common.”
A KCTV5 viewer shared a photo showing ICE and HSI agents standing next to handcuffed workers from El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill.
AIRR held a press conference outside one of the restaurants following the raid. They said four to five workers were detained.
Witnesses reported that at both restaurants, agents posted “Closed” signs and created an intimidating atmosphere for workers inside.
KCTV5’s team observed belongings left behind, such as bags and wallets, opened food containers and even stoves left on before some witnesses turned them off to prevent a fire.
AIRR characterized the raid as “irresponsible,” arguing that it “traumatizes communities.”
