Seven Taco Giro restaurants, including two locations in Tucson and one in Green Valley, are now closed indefinitely following the arrest of 46 workers by ICE Homeland Security investigators. Cesar Rodriguez, the director of operations for Taco Giro, disclosed that approximately 10% of the company’s workforce—the majority being kitchen staff—were detained, which significantly impacted operations.
While the company has managed to reopen three restaurants, located on Valencia in Tucson, Casa Grande, and Sierra Vista, Rodriguez expressed optimism about gradually resuming business at other locations as new staff members are hired and trained. The Country Club of Green Valley location lost six employees, but Rodriguez noted that no ICE agents visited the establishment directly—rather, they conducted operations elsewhere.
Reports indicate that the ICE operation involved detaining workers at their residences before verifying documentation in Taco Giro establishments. Rodriguez stated that none of the detained employees have contacted the company since their arrest, and their current whereabouts remain unknown. Allegations surfaced regarding the payment of undocumented workers in cash, which drew the attention of the IRS.
In discussing the situation, Rodriguez explained that ICE took materials as part of an audit, rejecting what he deemed baseless allegations of drug smuggling and child trafficking. Taco Giro had no prior interactions with the IRS or ICE. He characterized the business as a “mom and pop” operation, emphasizing their financial inability to pay for the E-Verify program, a service used to confirm employee eligibility. Employees were instructed to provide identification and complete state and federal tax forms, including the I-9 employment eligibility verification form.
In light of the closures, the company is also contemplating the potential shutdown of two underperforming restaurants, a decision that was already under consideration prior to the incident. Notably, these locations are not among those in Green Valley.
Founded in 2008 by the Ramos Mora brothers, Taco Giro has grown from its initial restaurant on 22nd Street and Golf Links Road to a total of ten establishments, including one in Sonora, Mexico. The brothers previously opened new restaurants with experienced staff to ensure smooth operations.
The ICE actions on Friday, which included serving 16 warrants in Southern Arizona, received significant media coverage and drew attention when U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva was pepper-sprayed outside a separate Taco Giro location. Grijalva described the incident as unsettling during an interview soon afterward. Journalist Paul Ingram also experienced the effects of the pepper spray while covering the scene.
An ICE spokesman confirmed that special agents, along with the IRS Criminal Investigation team and other federal partners, participated in the operation that led to the arrests of 46 undocumented immigrants from Mexico.
