South Minneapolis restaurant says ICE entered without warrant, staff push back

MINNEAPOLIS — ICE agents entered Hola Arepa in south Minneapolis without a signed judicial warrant this week, according to the restaurant’s owner and general manager. Owner and chef Christina Nguyen said it was the first such incident since the restaurant opened more than a decade ago.

"Definitely our first ICE encounter," Nguyen said. She believes her restaurant, which serves Latin street food, was arbitrarily targeted after the Trump administration deployed more federal agents to the Twin Cities. On Tuesday, Ring camera footage captured what she said neighbors confirmed were ICE agents in unmarked cars parked in the restaurant’s lot while it was closed. The following evening, two agents walked into the dining room during dinner service.

General manager Naomi Rathke said she had bee