CLEVELAND — The line nearly wrapped around the inside of restaurant Cilantro Taqueria as Ohioans continue showing their support nearly a week after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests on Sunday.
Anna Hudleson joined the large crowd of locals who were tasting traditional Mexican cuisine at the Cilantro Taqueria’s restaurant in Coventry Village. The bunch was celebrating “Dia del Cilantro” or “Day of Cilantro,” as announced by Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren in joint post with Coventry Village on Instagram.
The restaurant owner confirmed to Spectrum News that ICE officials came into the restaurant looking for an ex-employee with a criminal record on Sunday and left with six workers suspected of being in the country without legal status. This comes as mass deportations take hold across the country as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
In a recent U.S. Department of Homeland Security press release, the department said the president is keeping up with his campaign promises and is taking executive action “to stop the invasion at the southern border.”
Still, some Americans don’t agree with this point of view.
“America was founded as a melting pot,” Hudelson said. “We are all immigrants.”
Cilantro Taqueria wasn't willing to speak on camera but told Spectrum News 1 they’re grateful for customers showing out in high numbers.
Jim Petras, council member for the city of Cleveland Heights, said Sunday’s news rocked the tight-knit community.
“I think everyone in Cleveland Heights is shocked,” he said. "People think, ‘Oh, this may happen in Chicago or Los Angeles.’ No one thought that it would happen right here in the city of Cleveland Heights.”
Dia del Cilantro is the city’s chance give back to a key community partner, Petras said, but it doesn’t have to end with today.
“I hope that people will continue to come out," he said. "It's great that we have this event today, but I hope that they come out regularly because one event isn't enough. We need to continue to show our support for them."
Within close circles, there’s still a lot of fear and concern, Hudleson said, but they’re sticking around regardless of what the future holds.
“I can't imagine that something like this won't happen again over the next four years, which is why it's really important to be on the ground and educating yourself and finding ways to get involved right now,” Hudelson said. “Because this is just the start of our fight.”