GM of local Mexican restaurant worries ICE raids could have major impact on consumer level

PITTSBURGH — When Raul Carrillo was 12 years old, he tells Channel 11 he came to the United States with his family, and eventually became a citizen.

“I was blessed. I thank my parents and God,” Carrillo told Channel 11.

Today, he’s the general manager of a Mexican restaurant outside of Pittsburgh.

“Every time I see people crossing the border with their entire family, the only thing that I can think is, ‘God be with them,’ because it’s too dangerous.  It’s insane, Carrillo added.

Over the weekend, ICE agents went to several local restaurants and businesses in what ICE is calling “Targeted Enforcement Operations” — where agents look to take people charged with crimes into custody, and start the deportation process.

However, the Border Czar has said there could also be “collateral arrests” — when an documented person is found with someone ICE is targeting.

“I’m ok with that because I’m a US citizen. He’s doing his job. We need to support our new president,” he said.

But — with deportations, Carrillo worries there could be a major impact on a consumer level.

“It’s going to affect the fields, the grocery stores. It’s going to affect you guys because it’s going to be hard to get your produce at home. It’s going to hurt us to get the produce in our kitchen,” he said.

However, what worries him the most is that he and his family could be targeted just because of their heritage, even though he has been a US citizen for decades.

“It hurts that my grandkids get discriminated just because of their color. They don’t know me. I’m coming here to work to create jobs for people.”

ICE has not released any specific information on Pittsburgh-area raids, despite our repeated questions.

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