In Chicago, President Donald Trump’s immigration initiative, known as “Midway Blitz,” has been in effect for several weeks, significantly affecting the hospitality sector, particularly restaurants located in predominantly Latino areas.
Gerardo Auza, who hails from a family with a history in the restaurant business, fulfilled his lifelong ambition by opening El Mexico De Chicago in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood just eight months ago. Although the Mexican immigrant has received positive online feedback, he faces a daunting challenge: a severe drop in customer visits.
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“Over the past month, I have seen a 70% to 80% decrease in customers coming to the restaurant or ordering takeout. People are just really frightened right now,” Auza explained.
Auza also highlighted another pressing issue: even if his restaurant were to draw a full house, he lacks the staff to cater to them adequately.
“My employees have told me they’re too scared to come to work, fearing ICE might detain them. It’s hard to find the right words; everyone is on edge,” he shared.
This widespread anxiety surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations has deeply affected Chicago’s restaurant industry.
“What I’m hearing from members is that they’re just taking reservations, because they don’t have enough waitresses and waiters and bus boys bartenders coming into work because of the fear,” said Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia.
Toia says overall there has been a 20% decrease in the workforce due to the fear. He says downtown restaurants have not felt the impact as severe as neighborhood restaurants in Latino areas, like Belmont Cragin.
“This is having an impact on local businesses. That’s ultimately going to have an impact on our budget and ultimately have an impact on the federal government,” said 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas.
Villegas, who represents Belmont Cragin, says with the city already facing a big budget crisis, it doesn’t have the money to help struggling restaurant owners with grants. Villegas suggests the best way to help is for U.S citizens to continue patronizing restaurants in Latino wards.
While Chicago hotels set a record during the summer for filling rooms, the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association and the union representing hotel workers did not comment on Monday about the ICE impact on the hotel industry.
