Key Takeaways
• ICE inspected I-9 forms at multiple D.C. restaurants on May 6, 2025; no arrests were made.
• Restaurants like Chef Geoff’s and Millie’s received official notices and must submit employee I-9 forms by a set deadline.
• The raids heightened fear among immigrant workers, sparking legal rights advocacy and reactions from local officials.
Federal authorities carried out a series of workplace inspections at restaurants across Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, as part of a renewed push to enforce employment eligibility rules in the United States 🇺🇸. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents visited several well-known eateries, including Chef Geoff’s Restaurant, Millie’s, Ghostburger, Chang Chang, Pupatella, Central Michel Richard, and El Centro in Georgetown, demanding to review I-9 forms for every employee.
This wave of inspections has sparked fear and confusion throughout the city’s restaurant industry. Though agents followed procedures and made no arrests at the time, many workers and business owners are left anxious about what could come next.
What Happened During the ICE Operations?
The operations took place during normal business hours, which meant that agents visited restaurants as staff prepared for breakfast or lunch. At Chef Geoff’s Restaurant, almost a dozen agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showed up at around 10:30 a.m. The group included both law enforcement and immigration officials, all clearly identified by their uniforms.
Reports say these agents requested to see the I-9 forms for restaurant employees. For context, I-9 forms are documents that all employers in the United States 🇺🇸 must complete for each person they hire. These forms prove that someone is allowed to work in the country legally. When ICE asks to see these forms, businesses must show them the paperwork for current and even some former employees.
Chef Geoff’s Restaurant, owned by Geoff Tracy, who is married to CBS News Anchor Norah O’Donnell, was not the only restaurant ICE visited. At Millie’s, a popular spot on Massachusetts Avenue, the strategy was even more intense. Around eight or nine agents arrived wearing a mix of plain clothes and uniforms. They entered through every public door all at once, right as the staff was getting ready for lunch. ICE handed the general manager a “notice of inspection,” which is an official statement that agents want to check employment records. They told staff they would return the following Monday to collect the forms, since Millie’s keeps its I-9 paperwork at the company’s office and not inside the restaurant.
At Ghostburger, ICE agents came later in the afternoon. They dropped off a notice stating the deadline for turning in the required I-9 forms. Agents did not make arrests at Chef Geoff’s Restaurant or Millie’s, spending about an hour and a half at Chef Geoff’s before leaving.
How Did the Inspection Process Work?
The details of the operation differed between restaurants. Some were given advance notice that ICE would be coming soon, while others simply received the warning that agents would return in a few days to review the forms. Millie’s, for instance, got word from ICE that agents would be back in several days to collect documents, since the I-9 forms are not stored on-site.
Ghostburger received a similar approach but through a written form, rather than a physical inspection right away. Instead of reviewing documents on the spot, ICE simply left a notice giving staff a deadline to submit proof that every person working there has filled out the necessary I-9 paperwork and is allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸. No one was arrested at any of these establishments during the initial visits.
What Are I-9 Forms and Why Are They Important?
I-9 forms, officially called the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9, are used by U.S. employers to make sure new hires are allowed to work legally. The I-9 form asks for documents such as a passport, green card, or work permit. Employers keep these records, and if ICE ever asks to inspect them, the employer must show the forms right away or by a specific deadline set by the agent.
If you are looking for the official Form I-9 or need more details on who must fill it out and when, you can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) I-9 page.
Properly completed I-9 forms are critical for both workers and employers. Employers who cannot provide correct I-9 paperwork risk fines, loss of reputation, and even criminal charges for repeated violations. Workers found to be ineligible may lose their jobs or face deportation in the most serious cases.
Why Did ICE Target These Restaurants?
While ICE carries out I-9 form inspections all over the country, the timing and focus of these restaurant visits in Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 was notable. The restaurant industry has long been a target for ICE because it employs many immigrants, including both legal and undocumented workers. After President Trump returned to the White House, rumors began spreading that more ICE enforcement actions would take place, especially in large cities known as sanctuary cities. D.C. is one of those cities; it has local policies that try to protect immigrants from federal immigration enforcement.
Migrant Insider, a source quoted in multiple news reports, said that agents were likely to enter businesses under the excuse of checking employment records while other agents waited near the exits to spot anyone trying to flee. This strategy caused panic, especially after word got out that several high-profile restaurants, including Chef Geoff’s Restaurant, were among the first to be visited. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that this surge in enforcement may be aimed at both discouraging undocumented employment and checking that employers are following the law closely under the new administration.
Impact on Workers and Owners
The operations led to widespread fear among restaurant workers. The owner of Millie’s said, “It’s very concerning. The employees are very scared. We’re worried about some of them not coming back to work.” Many employees feel unsure if they will face trouble even if their paperwork is in order, especially since the presence of armed officers and the quick arrival of agents can be intimidating.
Immigrant support organizations in the area have stepped up to remind workers of their legal rights. These rights include:
– The right to remain silent if questioned by ICE.
– The right not to sign any documents on the spot.
– The right to contact a lawyer before answering questions.
Claudia Tristan, a volunteer with the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid group, told media, “Unfortunately, fear is the goal as these happen whether in D.C. or across the country. But what we’re also seeing is a lot of solidarity within the D.C. community.” Many local groups are organizing information sessions and providing telephone hotlines for workers nervous about future raids or inspections.
Government and Public Reaction
The raids did not go unnoticed by public officials. Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 Mayor Muriel Bowser made it clear she was “disturbed” by the news, saying, “It appears as though ICE is at restaurants, or even at neighborhoods, and it doesn’t look like they’re targeting criminals, and it does look like they’re disrupting.” The Mayor also stressed that local police were not involved and that the operations were led by federal authorities alone.
This message reassured some residents but raised fresh concerns among others, who feared that the federal government is now focusing on wide sweeps rather than only targeting known criminals. The disagreement between federal and local authorities adds an extra layer of anxiety for restaurant owners, who often must answer to both sides yet have to follow federal law when it comes to employment verification.
Context: The Bigger Picture
The restaurant industry in Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 is a major employer of new arrivals, immigrants, and workers from many backgrounds. For months, even before these ICE visits, restaurant owners and workers steeled themselves for potential enforcement actions as rumors spread in online forums and social media. These rumors intensified after President Trump returned to office, with many fearing that federal agents would step up activity and begin checking on workplaces once again.
Such I-9 checks are not new, but the scale and style of these recent ICE visits—targeting several well-known restaurants in one day and requesting to review forms in person—suggest a deliberate campaign to show that the administration takes immigration law seriously. Visits like this can also serve as a warning for other employers in the area; keep your I-9s in order or face a knock on the door from ICE.
How Should Restaurants Prepare?
For restaurant owners and managers, keeping up-to-date, complete I-9 forms for all employees is now more important than ever. Best practices recommended by legal advisors include:
– Storing I-9 forms in an organized way, either at the main office or at each location.
– Checking forms for mistakes or missing signatures.
– Making sure that all new hires fill out I-9s on their first day.
– Getting legal advice or help from immigration consultants when an inspection notice is received.
Employers should also train staff and managers to respond calmly if ICE arrives, and to follow the law by providing the forms without volunteering extra information. It’s also wise to remind workers about their rights and encourage them to ask for legal help before answering detailed questions from agents.
For more information on proper employer practices and I-9 form rules, the official USCIS I-9 Central page provides up-to-date guides, news, and instructions for both businesses and employees.
What Happens Next?
No one can say for sure if or when ICE will return for follow-up visits at the same or different restaurants. According to statements from ICE and local officials, the review and possible enforcement process take time. After collecting or reviewing I-9 forms, agents may return if they believe a business knowingly hired people not allowed to work. Sometimes, businesses can face heavy fines or further legal steps if major problems are discovered.
The community response in D.C. suggests that both workers’ rights groups and many members of the public are preparing to support affected employees, no matter what happens next. The extra fear and anxiety felt by those working in kitchens and dining rooms may linger long after the agents have left.
Final Thoughts and Guidance
The recent ICE operations across Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 have put a spotlight on workplace enforcement and the importance of accurate I-9 forms for all workers. While no arrests were made at restaurants like Chef Geoff’s Restaurant or Millie’s, the fear and pressure felt by employees and owners is likely to last for some time. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this renewed focus on compliance comes amid changing political priorities and signals to other employers that enforcement is back at the forefront.
For anyone working in or owning a restaurant in D.C. or elsewhere, the message is clear: stay prepared by keeping your paperwork in order, know your rights, and seek advice when needed. Employees should feel free to ask for help from legal aid or local support groups if they have questions or worries about ICE actions or their employment status.
More detailed guidance and forms can always be found on the USCIS I-9 page, which is the government’s main resource for employment eligibility in the United States 🇺🇸.
The events of May 6, 2025, will be remembered by many as a warning and a lesson: immigration enforcement impacts not only workers but also businesses and whole communities. The attention drawn by these operations will likely keep the discussion about employment law and immigrant rights at the center of D.C.’s public life for months to come.
Learn Today
I-9 Form → A required federal document proving an employee’s legal right to work in the United States. Employers must retain these forms.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including workplace compliance checks and employee eligibility verification.
Notice of Inspection → An official document given by ICE to employers, demanding to review I-9 employment verification forms within a set period.
Sanctuary City → A city with policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, often aiming to protect undocumented immigrants from detention or deportation.
Employment Eligibility Verification → The process of confirming whether a new hire is authorized to work in the U.S., mainly through I-9 forms.
This Article in a Nutshell
On May 6, 2025, ICE conducted surprise I-9 inspections at several D.C. restaurants, including Chef Geoff’s and Millie’s. No arrests occurred, but the operations left owners and immigrant workers anxious. Advocates emphasized knowing legal rights and proper documentation as enforcement actions intensified citywide, raising community-wide concern.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• ICE raids target more employers as 2025 I-9 audits increase
• Form I-9: New List A Document Requirements Explained
• How to Fill I-9 Work Authorization Date Without Your OPT EAD Yet
• Princeton Urges International Students to Keep I-94s, Flags Device Checks
• Form I-9 Checks in Houston Lead to Arrests of Undocumented Workers
