On a weekend night in April at Williams & Graham, a speakeasy in Denver’s Highland neighborhood, bar staff experienced palpable anxiety when they believed federal immigration agents were present nearby.
A bartender reached out to Tiffany Hernandez, who had recently organized a seminar with a civil rights attorney on how to navigate such situations.
Hernandez contacted the attorney, who promised to arrive at the bar in 20 minutes.
However, the officers outside were later identified as Denver Police officers conducting routine underage drinking checks, not immigration agents, as clarified by bar co-owner Saydee Hopkins in an e-mail.
This incident highlights the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that has permeated bars and restaurants across the nation following the re-election of President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted worksite enforcement operations at 100 restaurants in Washington, D.C., signaling a broader crackdown, as reported by the New York Times.
In Colorado, ICE has executed raids at various locations, including apartment complexes in Aurora and a clandestine event in Colorado Springs.
Migrant rights advocates warn that it is not a matter of ‘if’ agents will target restaurants in the area, but ‘when.’
“I’m kind of surprised we haven’t seen this yet,” remarked Raquel Lane-Arellano, spokesperson for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
She expressed concern, stating, “It’s just a matter of time before we see a business hit in a significant way.”
The food and beverage industry is now proactively preparing for potential ICE inspections.
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Service Employees International Union, and the Colorado Restaurant Association have collaborated to hold webinars and develop informative guides to assist restaurant managers on how to handle an ICE visit.
In this effort, the Colorado Restaurant Association has consulted with Fisher Phillips, a national law firm, which provides a 24/7 hotline for employers facing such situations.
Hernandez, 32, has committed herself to further this knowledge-sharing initiative among fellow bar managers by attending industry conventions and promoting awareness.
As the bar lead at Xiquita Restaurante y Bar, Hernandez draws pride from her Mexican heritage and a passion for agave spirits like tequila.
Upon Trump’s re-election, Hernandez felt the nation was turning its back on her cultural identity, lamenting, “We’re seeing abuse of our culture and our people.”
The American food industry relies heavily on immigrant labor, with an estimated one million undocumented individuals working in restaurants, as stated by the Center for Migration Studies.
As such, the presence of police near bars can easily spiral into rumors about impending ICE raids, amplifying anxiety among staff and owners alike.
The Colorado Restaurant Association has been responding by educating its members on how to prepare for potential ICE audits and raids.
Denise Mickelsen, a spokesperson for the association, confirmed that they are sharing vital information to help restaurant employees feel more secure and knowledgeable.
An ICE spokesperson commented on recent enforcement operations in the Denver area but did not disclose specific businesses involved or whether establishments serving food and drink were affected.
The operations typically involve ICE agents requesting I-9 forms, which document employees’ legal work statuses from business owners.
Hernandez, distressed by the escalating fear surrounding deportations, took the initiative to invite civil rights attorney Milo Schwab to address industry professionals.
Schwab, a regular patron at Xiquita, delivered informative sessions about understanding legal rights during potential searches.
The workshops attracted about 60 attendees in January, followed by additional sessions at different bars to discuss ICE operations and their legal implications.
They educated bar managers on identifying different types of warrants issued by ICE agents.
Additionally, they examined the distinctions between public and private areas within restaurant premises.
The primary objective was to equip managers with knowledge about their rights and obligations during an ICE appearance.
Schwab underscored the importance of understanding that federal agents cannot search a business without a proper warrant.
“While I hoped to demystify the process, many still lack firsthand experience in dealing with such situations,” he noted.
In another establishment close to Williams & Graham, an unnamed owner described past instances where rumors of ICE sightings stemmed from unrelated police activity, such as responding to traffic incidents or liquor license checks.
Denver police emphasized their refusal to enforce civil federal immigration laws, clarifying they do not inquire about immigration status during liquor license enforcement.
The fear generated by immigration enforcement efforts has heightened anxiety within the Latino community, as a Pew Research Center report from April revealed that 42% of Latinos worry about possible deportation, either personally or in relation to someone they know.
ICE’s recent activity targeting restaurants is not novel and echoes past enforcement under former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona, who gained a notorious reputation for such practices.
Amidst these fears, Hernandez took the opportunity to share her insights at Arizona Cocktail Week in March after receiving an invitation.
Partnering with Juliana Manzanarez, another immigration attorney, Hernandez plans to attend upcoming industry events in New Orleans, Nashville, and Brooklyn to further educate bar professionals about their rights.
Together, they are working to raise funds to cover their travel expenses for these conventions.
Manzanarez, recalling the severe immigration sweeps of the past, expressed her concerns regarding the current climate under the new administration.
“Enforcement now is heavy. Don’t assume that it can’t happen to you,” she cautioned, underscoring the need for vigilance.
Hernandez and the legal advocates aim not to obstruct official duties but to ensure that interactions with government officials are documented properly and that they adhere to regulations during a search.
“People are beginning to realize how important it is to understand their constitutional rights,” Hernandez explained.
“In an alarming climate, we are already witnessing a concerning erosion of due process.”
image source from：https://www.denverpost.com/2025/05/26/colorado-ice-raids-restaurants/
