(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A leader of Illinois' Hospitality Industry says local restaurants are prepared if immigration enforcement agents try to raid their businesses.
Sam Toia, President of the Illinois Restaurant Association has been hearing from his members.
"There’s definitely anxiety out there," he said.
“We tell our members to make sure they comply with the law.”
Toia said he has been telling his members that if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents show up at their establishment, by law the restaurants have 72 hours to provide the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form for their workers.
If the agents have a warrant, Toia says restaurants should cooperate.
However, he also says they should give their workers the numbers of immigration rights advocates who could help them get free legal representation.
This is nothing new, he says. There have always been ICE Agents. And, he says, restaurants want to comply with the laws.
On Sunday, ICE, the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and other agencies began conducting targeted operations in Chicago to “enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety.”
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