Getting Ready: Chicago's Restaurants Brace for Immigration Checks

Soon, Sam Toia, the CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, might be getting a lot of phone calls. With news of upcoming immigration checks in Chicago, he's been busy preparing. "Just make sure all your team has the right documents, " he advises restaurant owners. "And if ICE officers show up, follow the rules. " Toia wants to help. He's been talking to immigration lawyers and advocates. "If ICE visits your place, call me, " he assures restaurateurs. After all, many workers in Chicago's dining scene were born outside the US.But it's not just Chicago. Across the US, businesses are getting ready for these checks. The American Business Immigration Coalition has been holding training sessions for employers. "Businesses should know they have rights, " says Rebecca Shi, the coalition's director. "But they also need to follow the law. " For instance, if ICE comes knocking, businesses can ask for a judge's warrant. They have 72 hours to provide documents. And yes, some workers might skip work to avoid ICE. "Deporting people isn't a gentle process, " Shi notes. Some restaurant owners, like Sam Sanchez, support these checks. He's making sure his HR team has all the right documents. But he also wants Trump and Congress to make it easier for long-time undocumented workers to get legal papers. After all, many of his workers voted for Trump.