Chicago 'Latin Restaurant Weeks' turnout may be impacted by deportation raid fears, organizers say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- "Latin Restaurant Weeks" starts Friday in Chicago, but fewer restaurants are participating.

Business owners suspect deportation fears may keep customers away.

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Organizers are planning on going ahead with "Latin Restaurant Weeks" in Chicago. It starts on Friday and goes through the end of the month, but they have a lot fewer participants this year.

Evelyn Ramirez is preparing the bar at her Pilsen restaurant, Rubi's Tacos, for a busy couple of weeks ahead. She's participating in "Latin Restaurant Weeks." Typically, it brings a big increase in customers and a lot more exposure for the restaurant.

"We get a lot of new customers because of it," Ramirez said.

Typically about 70 restaurants participate in "Latin Restaurant Weeks" in Chicago. They all offer specials and highlight certain dishes, many of which they create just for the event.

This year however, only about a third of the normal member of restaurants are participating.

"There was a lot of sentiment from restaurants, not wanting to be in the spotlight because of immigration and the ICE raids," Latin Restaurant Weeks co-founder Karinn Chaverria-Luckett said.

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There have been numerous large-scale protests in the community against ice and the immigration raided they've been conducting. Some restaurant owners say fear of ICE has made it difficult for many businesses to find enough employees.

"Latin Restaurant Weeks" organizers said it's important to continue.

"I think every participating restaurant is making a powerful statement about pride and resilience," Chaverria-Luckett said.

At Rubi's Tacos, they say they are prepared to protect their employees should ICE try to raid the restaurant.

"A lot of our employees are sometimes scared to come in," Ramirez said. "We've assured them they have nothing to worry about here."

It is more than just a Chicago issue. "Latin Restaurant Weeks" in Los Angeles is scheduled for early next month. They are still evaluating what to do about that.

Chicago's 2025 "Latin Restaurant Weeks" runs from August 15 to 29. More information can be found here.