CLEVELAND HEIGHTS — Kate Ludick is part of the steady stream of people stopping by Cilantro Taqueria in Cleveland Heights as words spreads on social media of U.S. Immigration and Customer Enforcement agents arresting three employees outside of the establishment on Sunday.

“I was on my Facebook page, and I saw a post from somebody at Grog Shop, and they said that cilantro had been raided last night by ice,” Ludick said.


What You Need To Know

  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirms more than 900 arrests over the weekend, following President Donald Trump’s executive order cracking down on unauthorized immigration.

  • According to social media reports, three of those people were arrested during a raid at Cilantro Taqueria in the Coventry neighborhood of Cleveland Heights on Sunday.

  • The Geauga County Safety Center is nearing capacity with 58 detainees in its custody, according to the county sheriff.

Since then, several of the restaurant locations have closed. Spectrum News reached out to the Cilantro Taqueria for comment and is awaiting a response. In a written statement to Spectrum News, the City of Cleveland said it does not have any ties to the alleged arrests.

“The City of Cleveland Heights did not have prior knowledge of, was not involved in, nor did it cooperate or coordinate with federal officials from ICE in a raid on Cilantro Taqueria. The alleged raid and detention of persons at this establishment have not been confirmed by the City of Cleveland Heights at this time,” the city of Cleveland Heights wrote.

The Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand said the facility is one of only a small number in Ohio with contract to house ICE detainees and received another 20 last night.

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“I live two blocks away, and I didn’t hear anything, and I didn’t know anything, and I just felt so sick and heartbroken about that,” Ludick said.

Growing up in the Cleveland Heights area since the 1980s, Ludick said she and other longtime residents are doing what they can to show their support.

“I have this little, turquoise stone that is the shape of a heart, so I just put I put that on the doorstep,” Ludick said. “I don’t know what else to do. Just to let maybe family and friends and the Latin community know that people do care.”

Ludick isn’t the only one processing the news. Juniper Phelan is a regular at the restaurant, and she said Cilantro is also a favorite for many other people.

“The place is always busy. It’s a huge community hub. The workers are always friendly,” Phelan said. “They do their best to be accommodating, and, it’s just a great place.”

Phelan said it brings up concerns about a potential rise in arrests.

“I mean, it’s really terrifying, and I have to think about myself in my own workplace,” she said. “I’m a health care worker, and they’re talking about even, like, ICE raids in hospitals.”

Businesses that hire undocumented workers can face civil and criminal penalties, ranging from a few hundred dollars for first offenses to thousands in fines and even arrest for repeated violations.

While the legal process plays out, Ludick said all the people are human beings and deserve to be treated that way.

“We need laws, but we also need compassion,” Ludick said. “And, we need to remember that everyone is a human being, and we all live together … But please, we need compassion and thoughtfulness, because our communities are getting ripped apart.”