Federal Immigration Officers Arrest Two Workers in Ashland, Wisconsin

(ASHLAND, WISCONSIN) Federal immigration officers arrested at least two workers at the Ashland Family Restaurant in Ashland, Wisconsin, on December 15, 2025, in an operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with support from U.S. Border Patrol, according to details released by local police.

What happened that day

The arrests unfolded in two separate moments the same day at the restaurant (also known as the Chequamegon Family Restaurant).

• In the first incident, federal agents entered the business and took one person into custody on a federal warrant.
  • Federal agents had told the Ashland Police Department ahead of time they would be in the area, but they did not ask for local help during this first arrest.
  • Police said the agents left without incident.
• Later the same day, agents saw a second person they were seeking enter the restaurant and asked for local support.
  • Ashland police said the request came after restaurant staff were “very upset” during the first arrest.
  • A police sergeant accompanied federal officers to the business. The manager opened the door at the officers’ request, and the second person was detained without incident.

Agencies involved and local role

• ICE led the operation; Border Patrol assisted.
  • Border Patrol described the action as ICE-led and declined further comment.
  • ICE did not respond to media inquiries in the reports tied to the arrests.
• The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office was not involved.

• Local police said their role was limited to accompanying federal officers during the second detention.

What is known and what remains unclear

• Authorities have not released the identities of the two people taken into custody, details about their immigration status, or the charges they face — beyond at least one arrest on a federal warrant.
• It is not known whether the restaurant or its owners are under investigation, and there are no released facts showing whether the individuals were employees, contractors, or visitors.

The lack of detail leaves many basic questions unanswered for a small community where residents often know the people behind the counter and in the kitchen, and where sudden enforcement activity can ripple quickly through workplaces and families.

Why workplace arrests can be particularly disruptive

Restaurants are public-facing and typically have coworkers and customers nearby, which can make enforcement actions tense and highly visible. In this case:

• Staff reactions after the first arrest influenced the decision to request a uniformed local presence for the second.
• Enforcement inside or near a workplace often triggers fear among other workers—both those with legal status and those without—because many do not know what agents might ask for or what rights they have in that moment.

Federal vs. local enforcement: roles and coordination

• ICE and Border Patrol are both part of the Department of Homeland Security but have different typical roles:
  • ICE commonly handles interior enforcement and detention operations.
  • Border Patrol is best known for work near borders and at immigration checkpoints.
• The Ashland incident reflects how federal agencies can coordinate, especially when manpower or a quick response is needed.

Practical implications for families and the community

Community advocates and faith leaders in northern Wisconsin warn that sudden arrests can push families into crisis within hours. With no names released:

• It is not possible to confirm whether children or spouses were affected.
• Any detention can lead to an urgent need to locate a loved one and find legal help quickly.

Tool to locate detainees

For families trying to find someone after an ICE arrest, the federal government’s detainee search system is the most direct official tool.

• Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System to confirm whether a person is in ICE custody and where they are being held: ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
• Note: The system may not answer every question, especially immediately after an arrest, but it is a starting point.

Legal and procedural uncertainties

• The term “warrant” can refer to different documents. Some are court-issued warrants, while others may be administrative papers used in immigration enforcement.
• The type of warrant matters because it affects what officers can do and what rights a person has during an encounter.
• Without underlying documents, it is not possible to determine the precise legal basis for the arrests in Ashland.

Possible next steps and community impact

• The limited public detail makes it hard to know what, if anything, will happen next. Options can include:
  • Targeted arrests followed by no further action, or
  • Follow-up visits, interviews, or checks for additional people.
• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, when an ICE action happens at a visible local business, the immediate impacts are often social and economic:
  • Workers may start skipping shifts.
  • Parents may fear driving or leaving the house.
  • Small employers can struggle to keep schedules steady.
  • Rumors can spread faster than verified information when agencies do not release basic facts.

Key facts summary

For now, what is known is narrow but clear: two detentions on December 15, 2025, at the Ashland Family Restaurant, in an ICE-led operation with Border Patrol support; a first arrest after advance notice to Ashland police but without local assistance; a second arrest later the same day with a police sergeant present after staff were described as very upset; and no incident reported during either detention. Until ICE or a court record provides more detail, residents are left with the open questions common to many workplace arrests: who was taken, where they were taken, and what happens to their families next.