What Led Up to This ICE Operation at a Mexican Restaurant in MN Has the Left Melting Down

Democratic politicians in Minnesota have made clear that they're against immigration enforcement. They want ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents to go away.

That attitude and the anti-ICE actions/words of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have now earned them a federal investigation.

But they're not going to be able to block the enforcement of federal law, no matter how much they rant.

One recent operation in Minnesota is drawing meltdowns from some on the left, as our sister site Townhall wrote earlier on Saturday.

The Star Tribune reported on how four agents ate at the El Tapatio restaurant in Willmar, Minnesota, on Jan. 15, about 3 PM CT.

But then, they came back around 8:30 PM after they closed for the night, and detained three of the workers from the restaurant.

The agents were assailed by a "handful of bystanders" who "blew whistles and shouted at agents as they detained the people."

“Would your mama be proud of you right now?” one of these protesters asked.

Why wouldn't she be, if they're doing their job, enforcing the law? There is no indication that there was anything at all improper in this action.

Some on the left were mad that the agents ate lunch there earlier in the day, and then came back. Folks on the right found it clever and funny.

This guy had "no words,' then proceeded to spew some words.

There are no words. ICE agents ate lunch at a small local Mexican restaurant in Minnesota, enjoyed their meal, then came back later that night as the restaurant was closing down and arrested the people who had served them. pic.twitter.com/AiCzp49d8d
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) January 16, 2026

Now, we don't know all the facts yet, but it sounds like recon to me, as you might with any arrest, to ensure you have the proper target. That's a good thing.

Actually, there are words: “Great police work.” https://t.co/Xfz3eY78uw
— Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) January 16, 2026

Actually there are, easy words:

They did their job.
— MacronautBTC (@Macronaut_) January 17, 2026

But the left wants to have outrage no matter what the situation.

"They're arresting people without targeting!!"

Evidence indicates targeting.

"How dare they target people!!!"

You don't get a pass because food was involved. Had they arrested them during lunch, the left would find some other reason to object and say how awful it was or how frightened people were. They actually did it at the end of the day, after closing.

Ah yes the "made you a burrito" exception to immigration law. https://t.co/8POLlsjbzb
— Andrew "The Kid" Glidden (@asglidden) January 16, 2026

Minneapolis Mayor Frey's Rant About ICE 'Invaders' Is a Stunning Self-Own

Democrats should just be honest and say they don't want the law enforced; that's really where this appears to be at, at this point. That's why they keep calling on people to come out against enforcement. And the federal government is not going to stop, no matter how many fits they throw.

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