Was It Really a Raid? ICE Arrests at Northeast Ohio Restaurant Stir Fear and Uncertainty

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Reports of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at Cilantro Taqueria over the weekend have sparked concern and solidarity in the community. While many are describing the operation as a raid, conflicting accounts suggest that ICE agents were searching for a former employee with a criminal record and detained six other individuals when that person was not found. The swift nature of the enforcement action has heightened anxiety among workers, business owners, and local residents.

Witnesses described a sudden and intense scene at the restaurant, with ICE agents entering and instructing employees to step aside for questioning. One customer recalled, "They just came in, and you could see the fear on people's faces." Others noted that some employees fled the scene, which may have contributed to their detention.

In response to the incident, Cleveland Heights residents have gathered outside Cilantro Taqueria, leaving messages of support for the business and its employees. "It's heartbreaking to see this happen in our neighborhood," one supporter said. "People are scared, and that affects everyone."

According to a social media post from Dani Pajak, whose family owns Cilantro Taqueria, the ICE agents were focused on locating a specific individual but did not conduct a full-scale operation against multiple employees. "There was no raid," the post stated. "Some employees got spooked and ran, which is illegal. Unfortunately, they were detained for that reason." The restaurant briefly closed but has since reopened.

The Geauga County Safety Center, one of two ICE detention facilities in Ohio, confirmed receiving 20 individuals from recent enforcement actions, bringing the total number of detainees to 58. These detainments are part of a broader nationwide effort that saw nearly 1,000 people arrested in a single day.

Immigration attorney Margaret Wong noted that such actions, even if targeted at specific individuals, create a ripple effect in immigrant communities. "People are worried about their families, their jobs, and their futures," she said. "Employers are also facing uncertainty about their workforce, and the fear spreads beyond those directly affected."

The City of Cleveland Heights stated it had no prior knowledge of the ICE action. Mayor Kahlil Seren acknowledged community concerns, saying, "We have reached out to the federal government and Homeland Security but have not received any further information about this incident."

As tensions rise, a rally is being planned for Saturday in support of Cilantro Taqueria and those impacted by recent enforcement actions. One organizer stated, "No matter what you call it, these actions disrupt lives and create fear. We need to stand together."