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Italian restaurant reopens after controversial federal immigration raid

 

There has been lots of chatter on the internet about an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation a week ago in the San Diego beach city, only miles away from the U.S./Mexico border.

The latest news is that the popular Italian restaurant in San Diego that was the target of the operation reopened with community support following the immigration raid that sparked protests from local Democratic leaders.

Buona Forchetta reopened to and some customers “express[ed] outrage over what they called excessive force during” the ICE operation.

“Federal search warrants obtained by CBS 8 reveal the operation began with a 2020 tip alleging the restaurant employed undocumented workers. The warrant, signed Thursday by Judge Karen Crawford, authorized [last] Friday’s raid based on evidence that 19 employees had submitted fraudulent green cards — nearly half the restaurant’s staff.

After conducting three days of surveillance, dozens of armed ICE agents in riot gear stormed the restaurant Friday evening, handcuffing employees as flash bangs exploded. Four workers from Mexico and Colombia, including dishwashers and servers, were arrested.”  (bold added).

South Park businesses launched a GoFundMe campaign that so far, according to the website, has raised more than $126,000 to support the restaurant, its employees and their families.

 

The restaurant management has declined to comment, referring inquiries to a public relations company that shared the restaurant’s Instagram posts expressing gratitude for community support.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Buona Forchetta South Park (@buonaforchettasouthpark)

KJ