As the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) gears up for potential visits to Chicago restaurants in the coming days, Sam Toia, CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, is taking proactive steps to assist worried members. With the incoming Trump administration planning an immigration crackdown in major cities, including Chicago, Toia is advising restaurant owners to ensure that their employees have the necessary documents, particularly the I-9 employment eligibility verification forms.
Toia emphasizes the importance of compliance with the law, likening it to how businesses would handle a visit from a health inspector. He stresses the significance of having all paperwork in order to avoid any issues in case ICE inspectors show up at their establishments.
In anticipation of potential immigration actions, Toia is collaborating with immigration attorneys and advocates in the area to provide swift referrals to eateries or their staff members who may require assistance. He encourages restaurant owners to reach out to him if ICE visits their establishments, highlighting the essential role that foreign-born workers play in Chicago's hospitality industry.
Business groups and employers across the US are also preparing for the impending immigration actions that were a focal point of President-elect Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Since Trump's election victory in November, the American Business Immigration Coalition has conducted numerous training sessions, both in-person and virtually, with over a thousand employers to equip them for potential ICE sweeps.
