Twin Cities restaurant workers launch 86 ICE campaign demanding workplace protections

Mid-February in Minneapolis, restaurant workers and owners launched the 86 ICE campaign at a press conference and rally organized by the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Minnesota and Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha. The coalition said it delivered a set of demands to Hospitality Minnesota after the event and has sent nearly 2,000 letters since January asking Hospitality Minnesota to sign on; local reporters and the groups say Hospitality Minnesota has not responded.

The coalition spelled out specific workplace protections it wants Hospitality Minnesota and industry leaders to adopt. Demands include developing and implementing preparedness plans to ensure worker and customer safety; denying ICE entry to private areas of a business unless agents have a warrant signed by a judge; refusing service to known ICE and federal agents; granting employees time off to deal with immigration proceedings without punishment; and holding workplace preparedness conversations with all workers, not for them. The groups also asked for meetings with a Hospitality Minnesota representative to discuss a path forward and for financial stimulus targeted to impacted workers rather than only small business owners.

Speakers at the rally described steep economic fallout tied to Operation Metro Surge. Workers reported revenue declines of 50% to 80% at some restaurants and said the industry has lost millions of dollars in recent months. Remy, identified as a Minneapolis bartender, said, "People are fighting for shifts. Restaurants can't be open for full hours. This industry has lost millions of dollars in the past couple months." City officials cited by the coalition estimate losses of $100 million or more in Minneapolis tied to the influx of ICE and Border Patrol agents.

Owners and line staff described staffing shortages and fear on the floor. Miguel Hernandez, owner of Lito's Burritos, said, "I cannot have a business if my staff doesn't show up. Without my staff, without any restaurant staff, owners have nothing." Jake, a Minneapolis cook, said, "I've witnessed with my own two eyes the fear. They are visibly stressed and wondering if it is worth the risk to go to work." Another speaker identified only as Smith added, "Even when ICE leaves, we want a voice in the workplace. Basic training and protections."

The launch used Valentine’s Day imagery and bilingual organizing to draw attention. Workers and allies carried pink and red signs reading "No shirt, no shoes, no ICE," "Don't break our [heart], 86 ICE," and "ICE is not invited to dinner." An Instagram announcement said workers and owners would publicly respond to Tom Homan's statement that the Operation Metro Surge was ending and that "Workers have been organizing throughout this occupation to keep each other safe."

Organizers framed 86 ICE as a worker-led solution to ongoing enforcement risk. At the press conference a speaker said, "86 ICE is workerled. It is a campaign to protect restaurants from unconstitutional federal immigration enforcement actions and any threat to the safety and security of workers and our customers. We care. We care about our customers." The coalition has asked Hospitality Minnesota to sign the demands and meet to negotiate protections; reporters for KSTP and CBS News say they reached out to Hospitality Minnesota and have not received a response. The campaign calls for practical steps now so restaurant staff can return to work "without issue" and with a renewed sense of safety.