ICE Raids Reported At St. Charles Restaurants

SAINT CHARLES, IL — City of St. Charles Government officials say they've reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after several reports of officers visiting downtown restaurants Tuesday. The Daily Herald reports workers at Puebla Modern Mexican didn't show up for work Tuesday night, telling the restaurant's operating partner Kim Lawson they were afraid the business would be the next stop for ICE.

City officials posted to their government Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, sharing the statement they received from ICE, which says in part: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to focus its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement in compliance with federal law and agency policy. ICE officers are out in the community every day conducting targeted arrests."

This update follows an original post by city officials that said, "St. Charles Police Department and the City of St. Charles were not advised of any ICE operations yesterday, and our police department did not participate in any activity. Therefore, we have no knowledge of what transpired yesterday. If you have questions or concerns, please contact ICE officials directly."

According to The Daily Herald, Lawson said that reports of ICE visits have affected every business and have caused a lot of fear, adding that Lawson said she intends to organize an informational seminar on immigration rights for business owners and their employees, in addition to raising money to help affected families manage legal costs.

It hasn't been confirmed whether any arrests were made in St. Charles.

>> See the full statement from ICE

More: The Daily Herald

Photo: Getty Images