Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County (trfnews.i234.me) — Don Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant has closed its Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes locations. The owners said the move was tied to reports of ICE activity in the area.
The restaurant posted on Facebook that it was “closed until further notice.” The post blamed “unforeseen family” issues. A second post was shorter. It said, “We are closed.”
After the posts, a restaurant representative spoke with local media. The representative said the closure was due to ICE activity. The person said the goal was safety for workers and guests.
What the restaurant said
The representative described a call from an unknown man. The caller asked if the restaurant was open. He also asked if ICE was nearby.
The representative said they had not seen ICE. The call ended quickly. The representative said they then chose to close.
The representative said they feared for customers and staff. The person added a short warning. “Nobody is safe,” the representative said.
Don Pablo’s thanked customers for support in its Facebook message. You can view the related posts and reporting here: Valley News Live
and the restaurant’s page: Don Pablo’s Detroit Lakes on Facebook.
Federal response in Minnesota
The closure came as federal immigration activity in Minnesota drew wide attention. On the same day, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said more federal officers would be sent to Minnesota.
Reuters reported that Noem said “hundreds more” officers were being added. The report tied the move to safety concerns for federal staff.
Readers can learn more about ICE and its public mission here: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A broader national report on federal activity in the Twin Cities is available here: PBS NewsHour.
What happens next
The restaurant did not give a reopening date. The posts said the closure would last “until further notice.”
Don Pablo’s has served diners in Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes for years. Detroit Lakes is in Becker County. Fergus Falls is in Otter Tail County.
Customers who had planned visits are encouraged to check official updates. The fastest updates are typically posted on the restaurant’s Facebook pages.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
No one even knew it was there until now.
I guess they had something to hide🫣
More fallout from a fascist administration
Jerry Dahlen oh. Look. A lady boy..
Maybe if the media would stop reporting and protestors stay the fuck out of ICE duties and just protest, there would be a different outcome (FAFO)
They didn’t HAVE to, they CHOSE to. Boo hoo!
Team Ice…… on the way
Maybe people should stop being assholes and leave people who want to work alone
May Be you shouldn’t have undocumented workers that committed felonies working for you
Well this makes you look guilty
Better hire some white peoples
Sorry but if you are legal and have nothing to hide you should have no fear .
And they donated the food in their kitchen to local food banks. They’ve also served free meals to those short on food for quite some time without question or explanation. They are such a great supporters of local youth activities and the community.
If you aren’t breaking the law….there isn’t any need to run and hide. Maybe next time when you open a business, you can try to be law abiding!!!
If they are above the law then no worries, if they are harboring fugitives or illegals then they will have to face judge..
Tell us you hire illegal aliens without telling us you hire illegal aliens.
I hope that after ICE rounds up your illegal aliens, the state also charges the owners as well.
I am glad all the other Mexican restaurants are open. We love Mexican food!
Fuck that place ill never go back
If they’re legal they should have no fear, closing makes them look guilty. A case of overreaction.
Here I thought they closed because they didn’t know how to make a chicken chimichanga. What the hell is a solid dry chunk of chicken breast doing just wrapped inside of a tortilla and crisped?
Why would they need to close 🤔
Does ICE do food inspections too?
It’s going to be more than ice these next few days. We’re talking about 50 below wind chills.
Shitty food 🥘 is the reason. Shitty service
Shitty posted note “no 🧊
And they were right under our noses nobody cared
So they were hiring illegals. That is a pretty serious crime isn’t it?
So sad
Hire Americans and you wouldn’t have a problem
Admit you’re breaking law without admitting you’re breaking law.
Too bad your kid is ugly. Probably just continuing on the inbred in your familia.
Lauri can grow up anytime……🕐🕑🕒🕓
Then they have nothing to be afraid of!!!
If you’ve chosen to eat here, and now care who has made your food, you either are hypocrites or care about people from another country being harassed.
They are opening back up
Detained until identified. If we didn’t have an illegal problem, they wouldn’t have to be here. So cooperate and let them clean shit up!
Most??! Than you have nothing to fear. Cooperate.
Why be scared I don’t get it