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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were surrounded on Friday by protesters who chanted "shame" after carrying out operations at two restaurants in San Diego.
"On May 30, while executing two criminal search warrants of businesses that knowingly hired illegal aliens in San Diego, over 250 protesters verbally harassed ICE agents, pounded on car windows, and even blocked roadways to prevent ICE from leaving," Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration is enacting plans for large-scale deportations as part of a key campaign pledge to remove millions of immigrants without legal status.
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California, which is considered to be a sanctuary state, has resisted efforts by federal immigration authorities to collaborate with local law enforcement, setting the stage for clashes over ICE's expanded authority.
What To Know
Federal agents conducted a work site enforcement operation Friday evening at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta, two Italian restaurants located on Beech Street in San Diego's South Park neighborhood.
The manager stated that at least two employees were detained during the enforcement operation, NBC 7 San Diego reported.
The enforcement action drew a visible response from community members, some of whom gathered outside the restaurant and voiced opposition to the presence of federal agents.
Witnesses at Enoteca Buona Forchetta reported seeing Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents enter the restaurant during an enforcement action.
Flashbang devices were deployed to disperse a crowd that had gathered around the agents' vehicles, footage shows.
One protester was seen appearing to throw trash at ICE agents.
Some individuals shouted "Shame, shame, shame" as the agents retreated to their vehicles. One protester was heard calling federal agents "f****** Nazis."
As a result of the operation, Buona Forchetta did not open for dinner service that evening, according to NBC 7.
Buona Forchetta Family, the company behind the restaurants, also owns and operates Matteo For a Cause, a nonprofit restaurant in South Park. Matteo For a Cause donates all profits, after deducting operating expenses, to local charities that support education and early childhood development.
What People Are Saying
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek: "The officers took appropriate action and followed their training to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation in a manner that ensures the success of the operation and prioritizes the safety of the public and our officers. In large part due to protests like this, our ICE officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults while carrying out arrests."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, in a statement shared with Newsweek: "Like many San Diegans, I was deeply upset by Friday night's immigration enforcement operation at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta in South Park. Federal actions like these are billed as a public safety measure, but it had the complete opposite effect.
"What we saw undermines trust and creates fear in our community. I raised these concerns and my strong objections directly with Homeland Security Investigations leadership this morning. I will continue to advocate for the respect, dignity, rights, and security of everyone in our city."
ICE, in a statement: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can confirm that ICE San Diego conducted two worksite enforcement operations at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta Restaurants in San Diego."
Buona Forchetta, in a statement on its Instagram page: "Buona Forchetta has always been at its core, a family. We have built our spaces on trust, dignity, and care for one another. We stand together, now and always. We are still processing the deep pain and confusion caused by this situation."
What Happens Next
State leaders, including the mayor and a congressional delegation, will hold a press conference to address the incident at 10 a.m. PT on Monday.
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Update 6/2/25, 11:19 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Tricia McLaughlin.
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