ICE Conducts I-9 Inspections at DC Restaurants

ICE agents visited multiple Washington, D.C. restaurants this week, including Chef Geoff's, Millie’s, Ghostburger, Chang Chang, and Central Michel Richard, requesting I-9 employment verification forms as part of an immigration enforcement effort. ICE described the actions as routine I-9 inspections, not raids, but the visits triggered anxiety among workers and criticism from local leaders and restaurant owners. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed concern, emphasizing that the operations did not target criminals and that local police were not involved. Some restaurants received advance notice of the inspections, and no arrests were made during the visits. Advocacy organizations pointed out that the scale and specificity of this enforcement distinguish it from prior actions in the area. The events have led to heightened unease in the local restaurant and immigrant communities.