Immigrant-Owned Restaurant Faces Backlash Over Policy

In Arizona, an immigrant-run Mexican restaurant has experienced a surge of hateful communications, phone calls, and negative online reviews after accusations surfaced that it provided free meals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The restaurant’s owners are opting to take a positive approach in response.

“We want to be proactive, because we know that hate only breeds more hate,” Jorge Rivas, the owner of Sammy’s Mexican Grill, explained. He discussed the situation with Fox News Digital.

Recently, Sammy’s Mexican Grill was featured in social media posts highlighting its support for federal immigration enforcement and its offer of complimentary meals to these agents.

“It all began when a local reporter inquired whether our offer for free meals to law enforcement included ICE officers,” Rivas, originally from El Salvador, recalled. “I thought it made sense, as they are still law enforcement.” He emphasized that many staff members work for the federal government, under the leadership of President Trump, enforcing laws that have been established for years, even under previous administrations. “Providing free meals is just a way to thank them for the risks they take every day,” he added.

Since the video gained traction, the restaurant has been bombarded with negative reviews and phone calls, but Rivas noted that the team tries to remain courteous. “When we get those calls, we simply respond, ‘God bless you, thank you, and have a great day,'” he said.

However, Rivas has expressed concern about the rapid influx of one-star reviews, with some posts claiming unsanitary conditions or food-related ailments. “It’s disheartening, and it makes us worry whether people might start to believe these claims,” he remarked, citing comments like accusations of cockroaches and customers getting sick from burritos.

He clarified that the restaurant’s policy to offer free meals to law enforcement isn’t a new initiative. “We’ve been doing it for over five years now. Most police officers don’t pay when they visit us, although occasionally they’ll insist on paying because they’ve received free meals before,” he said.

Rivas has a history of supporting President Trump and has participated in state Republican politics, even running for Congress last year in Arizona’s 7th District and seeking the gubernatorial nomination in 2022.

He communicated his message to those opposing ICE: “I think people might benefit from focusing their efforts on more positive pursuits.” Rivas encouraged them to seek guidance from spiritual beliefs instead of confronting federal agents.