NEW ORLEANS — Business owners across the New Orleans metro area are choosing to shut down temporarily, urging workers and customers to stay safe at home as federal immigration operations are set to begin.

Empty dining rooms and locked doors mark a growing number of restaurants shutting down as Operation Swamp Sweep gets underway.

Taqueria Guerrero on Carrollton Avenue posted a statement saying in part: "We refuse to operate in a way that puts anyone at risk or adds to the fear that so many are feeling."

Viva Nicaragua's two locations in Kenner and Harvey are also closed. Restaurant managers urged everyone to exercise extreme caution.

Saul Alcazar made the difficult decision to close his family-owned Café Tomas in Uptown.

"People don't want to show up. They don't want to work due to be

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