LA Taco Chain Closes 15 Locations Amid ICE Crackdown
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A popular taco chain in the Los Angeles area has temporarily closed all but one of its locations amid increased immigration enforcement operations.
Newsweek reached out to the restaurant, Angel's Tijuana Tacos, for comment.
Why It Matters
Los Angeles has become a flashpoint in the nation's immigration debate after a weekend of unrest tied to opposition to President Donald Trump's mass deportation policy, with reports of arson and looting in downtown Los Angeles and 42 arrests.
What To Know
In a message shared Thursday night on Instagram, Angel's Tijuana Tacos announced that its Anaheim restaurant will remain open, while its other 15 locations—primarily taco trucks and stands—are closed until further notice.
Though the statement did not explicitly cite U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity as the reason for the closures, the post appeared to reference ongoing enforcement actions across Southern California.
"Anaheim is our only location open. ALL other locations will be closed until further notice. We hope to see you soon. Stay safe everyone," the business wrote in a social media post.
Angel's Tijuana Tacos is a Southern California taco chain known for its authentic Tijuana-style tacos. Founded in 2018 by a 31-year-old taquero with roots in Guerrero, Mexico—known publicly as Taquero Angel—the business began as a single stand in North Hollywood and quickly expanded to 15 locations across Los Angeles.
Just weeks ago, the chain opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Anaheim, a city about 26 miles south of Los Angeles in Orange County.
File photo of a taco at a restaurant in New Hampshire.
File photo of a taco at a restaurant in New Hampshire.
Matthew Mead/AP
The move comes amid a backdrop of heightened concerns in California as Trump squares off against Governor Gavin Newsom.
Trump ordered the deployment of approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests sparked by his intensified immigration enforcement policies. The demonstrations escalated following the troop mobilization and have since spread to other major cities, including New York, Boston, and Chicago.
Newsom has asked a judge to block the deployment, arguing that the military presence has heightened tensions and is interfering with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted a lower court order that required Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California. The deployment was initiated in response to protests in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement actions.
Earlier the same day, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that the deployment was unlawful, stating it violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded the president's legal authority.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social early Friday: "Incompetent Gavin Newscum should have been THANKING me for the job we did in Los Angeles, rather than making sad excuses for the poor job he has done. If it weren't for me getting the National Guard into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now!"
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on June 8: "This is a difficult time for our city. As we recover from an unprecedented natural disaster, many in our community are feeling fear following recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County. Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning.
She added: "Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable."
What Happens Next
The locations could be reopened, as they are currently listed as temporarily closed.
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