ICE Raids West Virginia Restaurants as Part of “Operation Take Back America”

ICE Raids West Virginia Restaurants Amidst Intensified “Operation Take Back America”

In late May 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids at multiple West Virginia restaurants, leading to worker detentions and temporary business closures. These actions are part of a broader federal initiative known as “Operation Take Back America,” which aims to increase scrutiny of visa compliance and workplace immigration enforcement. The operation highlights a growing trend of state-federal cooperation in immigration enforcement, bolstered by recent federal funding and policy changes.

The raids specifically targeted Don Patron Mexican Grill locations in Elkins, Weston, and Bridgeport between May 28th and May 30th. These events underscore the administration’s focus on long-term restaurant workers whose immigration status may depend on pending applications, expired documents, or cases filed within the United States. Federal officials have presented the West Virginia enforcement efforts as a model for nationwide strategies, combining workplace sweeps with criminal prosecutions and stricter limitations on immigration relief for individuals already in the country.

Increased State-Federal Cooperation in Enforcement

Federal authorities have emphasized the success of partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies. This collaboration is partly facilitated by the 287(g) program, which empowers state and local police to carry out immigration enforcement duties. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law on July 4, 2025, significantly boosted immigration enforcement by allocating $170 billion. This funding supports the hiring of 10,000 new ICE officers and provides resources to state and local agencies that enter into 287(g) agreements.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that West Virginia’s cooperation serves as a model for national safety efforts, citing a previous operation that resulted in over 650 arrests. ICE ERO Philadelphia Acting Field Office Director Michael Rose echoed this sentiment, noting that strong partnerships enhance public safety and the integrity of the immigration system. These operations, such as “Operation Country Roads” in January 2026, which led to 650 arrests across West Virginia, demonstrate the effectiveness of this coordinated approach.

Policy Shifts Impacting Immigrant Workers

Recent policy changes by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have further complicated the situation for immigrant workers. On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a memo restricting “Adjustment of Status” to only “extraordinary circumstances.” This change means many workers who previously expected to apply for permanent residency from within the United States must now pursue consular processing abroad.

USCIS Spokesman Zach Kahler explained that this policy aims to return to the original intent of the law, ensuring individuals navigate the immigration system properly. By requiring applications from home countries, the administration believes it can reduce the number of individuals who remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency. This policy shift is particularly impactful in industries like the restaurant sector, where work authorization, pending applications, and employer records are often interconnected.

Document Fraud and Criminal Prosecutions

The administration has also focused on document fraud cases, linking them to broader visa fraud investigations within the restaurant industry. A notable case involved Pablo Dominguez, a Honduran national arrested during a January search warrant at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant in Nitro. In June 2026, Dominguez was sentenced for illegal reentry, with his case involving counterfeit I-551 documents used to obtain employment.

U.S. Attorney Moore Capito described such operations as necessary to “repel the invasion of illegal immigration” and protect communities. This framing places individual prosecutions within the context of larger enforcement sweeps. However, legal challenges have emerged, with U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin ordering the release of several detainees in February 2026, citing the government’s failure to provide evidence of threats and describing some warrantless arrests as an “assault on the constitutional order.”

Impact on Local Businesses and Workers

The disruption caused by these enforcement actions is felt directly by local businesses and their employees. Temporary closures of restaurants like Don Patron’s halt service and cut off income for staff. Restaurant owners and employees have spoken out, with some defending their workers as hardworking individuals without criminal histories.

This perspective contrasts with the administration’s emphasis on targeting dangerous offenders. A report by the ACLU of West Virginia claimed that 75% of individuals arrested in recent sweeps had no prior criminal record. This figure challenges the narrative of a purely criminal-focused crackdown and raises questions about who is being affected by the increased enforcement. In practice, restaurant staff with stable jobs and no criminal records can face detention if their immigration paperwork does not meet the new standards set by enforcement agencies and USCIS.

West Virginia has become a key location for testing this enforcement strategy due to its combination of local cooperation, federal funding, and a labor market that relies on immigrant workers. The current approach aims for more arrests on the ground and fewer opportunities for legal status adjustments within the country. This creates a more challenging environment for workers who had planned their futures around marriage petitions, employer sponsorships, or other pathways that once allowed for Adjustment of Status. Pursuing consular processing abroad now carries the risk of separation from jobs, families, and communities, with no guarantee of a swift return. Immigration advocates argue that such pressure pushes individuals into hiding rather than encouraging compliance, while the administration views stricter rules and visible arrests as a means to enforce visa compliance and deter unauthorized work.

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