DC eateries suffer as workers terrified of Ice stay home: ‘You don’t want to go outside’

Some restaurants in the US capital have closed their doors as workers stay home rather than risk deportation

Hernan was at the Latin American restaurant that he owns with his brother in north-west Washington DC last week when his staff started getting phone calls and messages about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) checkpoints in the neighborhood. The employees, scared that they might be targeted and racially profiled, asked if they could go home.

Within hours, Hernan had to close their doors, and the restaurant hasn't been open since.