Local politicians and members of the downtown San Diego restaurant industry have reacted strongly and indignantly to the immigration raid carried out on Friday, May 30, at popular South Park chain restaurant Buona Forchetta.
Two “worksite enforcement operations” at Buona Forchetta and a neighboring sister restaurant were conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) San Diego, according to a spokesperson.
Buona Forchetta general manager Renato Ametrano reported that employees were handcuffed and he was pushed against a wall. He said employees were traumatized when nearly two dozen ICE agents arrived unannounced.
During the raid, South Park neighbors showed up outside the restaurant to protest the operation. At one point, an ICE agent ignited at least one smoke-producing flash-bang grenade to quell the protesters.
Four restaurant employees were reportedly detained by ICE agents. It’s unclear if they face criminal charges.
All of the Buona Forchetta restaurants in San Diego and Orange County were scheduled to be closed Monday and Tuesday.
Over the weekend, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted a condemnation of the raid and said he made his objections known to Homeland Security Investigations.
Democratic politicians held a press conference on Monday outside the downtown San Diego federal courthouse. The contingent included Gloria, San Diego City Councilmembers, the mayor of Imperial Beach (who is running for a County Supervisor seat) and California members of Congress.
Rep. Juan Vargas (D-52) called the situation “unacceptable.”
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-51) said recent immigration enforcement policies have “crossed a new line.”
National news outlets have reported that the Trump Administration has set a national daily quota of 3,000 immigration-related arrests.
Members of the downtown San Dego restaurant industry were touched and highly troubled by the Buona Forchetta raid.
“There are good people working there. Honest people,” says Ricardo Gonzalez, a manager at Rockin’ Baja Lobster in the Gaslamp Quarter. “Give people a chance.”
Others wondered why this raid was a priority.
“The people at Buona Forchetta, those people were working in this business and keeping it afloat,” says Anna Heydari, bar manager at The Blind Burro in East Village. “They were helping provide revenue to the city. I’m sure there were not tons of American citizens knocking on the door saying we want that dishwashing job.”
Mickey Finn, a server at Maryjane’s in the Gaslamp Quarter, says she’s been going to Buona Forchetta since it opened.
“I love that place and I’m really sad,” she says. “This is tragic. I can imagine how the people around there felt. I’m sure there will be people that are really scared. Maybe they won’t go to work. It’s such a community-driven restaurant so this really hits close to home. People are going to be hit in their heart about this situation.”
A statement posted on Instagram by Buona Forchetta thanked the public for its support and vowed the eatery would reopen Wednesday.
“Buona Forchetta is not just a restaurant,” the statement reads. “It’s our home. It’s where we pour our energy, our culture, our joy, and our humanity every single day…We will be back soon. But for now, we are holding our people close and leaning into the love you have so generously given.” SDSun
