Latest news with #BuonaForchetta
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buona Forchetta to close temporarily following ICE raid in South Park
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Buona Forchetta, the popular Italian restaurant chain whose flagship location in South Park was raided by federal immigration officials, will be closed for several days as the neighborhood continues to reel from last Friday's startling operation. The restaurants' owners announced the closure to all seven locations in San Diego and Orange counties on Instagram Sunday night, saying the decision was made to give their employees time to rest and to process the incident that led to the arrest of at least two. 'We wish we could find stronger words, but the truth is we are heartbroken. The traumatic incident involving a federal enforcement operation at our original and beloved South Park location has left a mark on all of us,' the statement read. 'Through the weekend, we showed up with smiles because that is who were are. We served our guests with love because that is what we know. But behind those smiles, we were carrying something heavy,' it continued. 'We will be back soon. But for now, we are holding our people close and leaning into the love you have so generously given.' Outrage and solidarity after ICE raid shakes South Park restaurant The statement noted the closure will remain in place through at least Tuesday. They are expected to resume normal operations on Wednesday. The chaotic incident began unfolding as the restaurant was preparing to open on Friday. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived outside the restaurant around 4 p.m. to carry out a warrant, the specifics of which remain unknown at this time. More than a dozen workers, including its general manager, Renato Ametrano, were detained by armed, masked agents in tactical gear. Most were later released, but at least two were taken into ICE custody. According to Ametrano, all of Buona Forchetta's staff have proper documentation to live and work in the U.S. The operation brought other members of the community out to the restaurant, some of whom surrounded ICE's vehicles and attempted to block them from leaving the area. Flash bangs were used at points to try and disperse the crowd. ICE officials have not released any additional information about the raid, but said their investigation remains ongoing. Nonetheless, the dramatic incident, which was shared widely on social media, drew swift condemnation from local leaders and residents. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria described being 'deeply upset' by the operation in a statement Saturday and said he raised a number of concerns regarding how it unfolded with Homeland Security Investigations leaders that morning. 'Federal actions like these are billed as a public safety measure, but it had the complete opposite effect,' the statement read. 'What we saw undermines trust and creates fear in our community.' San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera issued a similar rebuke of the incident, bluntly calling it 'state-sponsored terrorism' in a post on Instagram. 'This isn't a war zone — it's a neighborhood in our city,' he said. 'These are federal agents carrying out raids under the false pretense of 'safety.'' President Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller responded to Elo-Rivera's words in a separate post on X, formerly Twitter, tossing back the admonishment. 'We are living in the age of leftwing domestic terrorism,' he said. 'They are openly encouraging violence against law enforcement to aid and abet the invasion of America.' Several mayors in San Diego County challenge 'sanctuary city' designations Prior to the raid, Miller, alongside Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, demanded in a meeting that immigration agents ramp up arrests to 3,000 per day, roughly triple the number of daily arrests made in the first months of Trump's second term, as Axios reported. DHS officials also flagged San Diego as a 'sanctuary city' alongside more than 500 other jurisdictions it pledged to scrutinize for alleged obstruction of 'the enforcement of immigration laws' — something local leaders dispute. As for Buona Forchetta, the restaurant's owners said Saturday they are working with their attorneys to locate their detained employees and support their families. A collective of South Park businesses is also fundraising to help support those detained, providing aid for legal fees, lost wages and their families' living expenses. As of Monday, more than $71,000 has been collected, surpassing the fundraiser's goal of $60,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
California ICE Agents Surrounded by Protesters Chanting 'Shame'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were surrounded on Friday by protesters who chanted "shame" after carrying out operations at two restaurants in San Diego. Newsweek reached out to ICE for comment via email outside of office hours. Why It Matters The Trump administration is enacting plans for large-scale deportations as part of a key campaign pledge to remove millions of immigrants without legal status. California, which is considered to be a sanctuary state, has resisted efforts by federal immigration authorities to collaborate with local law enforcement, setting the stage for clashes over ICE's expanded authority. What To Know Federal agents conducted a work site enforcement operation Friday evening at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta, two Italian restaurants located on Beech Street in San Diego's South Park neighborhood. The manager stated that at least two employees were detained during the enforcement operation, NBC 7 San Diego reported. The enforcement action drew a visible response from community members, some of whom gathered outside the restaurant and voiced opposition to the presence of federal agents. Witnesses at Enoteca Buona Forchetta reported seeing Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents enter the restaurant during an enforcement action. Flashbang devices were deployed to disperse a crowd that had gathered around the agents' vehicles, footage shows. One protester was seen appearing to throw trash at ICE agents. Some individuals shouted "Shame, shame, shame" as the agents retreated to their vehicles. One protester was heard calling federal agents "f****** Nazis." JUST IN: San Diego residents fume, with one appearing to throw trash at ICE, as they conduct a worksite enforcement operation in South Park. The incident happened at the best Italian restaurant in America, Buona Forchetta. 'U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can confirm… — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 31, 2025 As a result of the operation, Buona Forchetta did not open for dinner service that evening, according to NBC 7. Buona Forchetta Family, the company behind the restaurants, also owns and operates Matteo For a Cause, a nonprofit restaurant in South Park. Matteo For a Cause donates all profits, after deducting operating expenses, to local charities that support education and early childhood development. What People Are Saying San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, in a statement shared with Newsweek: "Like many San Diegans, I was deeply upset by Friday night's immigration enforcement operation at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta in South Park. Federal actions like these are billed as a public safety measure, but it had the complete opposite effect. "What we saw undermines trust and creates fear in our community. I raised these concerns and my strong objections directly with Homeland Security Investigations leadership this morning. I will continue to advocate for the respect, dignity, rights, and security of everyone in our city." ICE, in a statement: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can confirm that ICE San Diego conducted two worksite enforcement operations at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta Restaurants in San Diego." Buona Forchetta, in a statement on its Instagram page: "Buona Forchetta has always been at its core, a family. We have built our spaces on trust, dignity, and care for one another. We stand together, now and always. We are still processing the deep pain and confusion caused by this situation." What Happens Next State leaders, including the mayor and a congressional delegation, will hold a press conference to address the incident at 10 a.m. PT on Monday.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
ICE conducts operations at Buona Forchetta restaurants in South Park
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced it conducted two worksite enforcement operations Friday in South Park. The incident occurred at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta at 30th and Beech Street, Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe with the United States Department of Homeland Security confirmed in a statement to FOX 5/KUSI. San Diego police were also asked to assist with the incident by Homeland Security, according to authorities. Remains found at Torrey Pines State Beach identified as 10-year-old girl Multiple federal officials were seen standing in front of the Italian restaurant. The manager of Buona Forchetta told FOX 5/KUSI two workers were detained. Check back for updates on this developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
