Taco Giro has been, for 17 years, our favorite Mexican food chain. Now it has gone through the hardest week in its entire existence. Most of its restaurants have had to shut their doors without prior notice due to immigration raids, and dozens of workers have ended up detained. A very unpleasant situation for everyone. Suddenly, empty kitchens, neighborhoods with closed businesses, and the debate back on the table: we depend on migrant labor for absolutely everything, whether some people like it or not.
What happened after the raids
Everything exploded after several ICE operations at these restaurants. In a single day, 46 kitchen workers, almost 10 percent of the workforce, were detained by immigration services.
Without enough staff, the company could not continue operating normally and was forced to temporarily close almost all of its locations in the United States until a solution is found.
It seemed like a solid business
This chain that has given us so many good moments started in 2008 as a family restaurant, with incredible tacos that made it a regional reference. Delicious food, a very friendly atmosphere, and a place everyone wanted to return to when tacos came up.
How many restaurants remain closed
After the raids, the nine locations in Arizona closed, leaving only the restaurant in Mexico open. As days passed, some locations managed to reopen in a limited way, but seven remain closed with no clear return date. In addition, the company confirmed that two locations could close permanently, a decision that had already been under consideration even before these operations.
A forced pause
On its social media, the chain posted messages in English and Spanish explaining that they needed a pause, to understand the situation, and to gradually reopen if everything could be reorganized.
“Our restaurant will remain temporarily closed while we take a brief pause to make some necessary adjustments so we can continue offering the warm service and unique flavors you love so much. We will be ready to welcome you back very soon with the same care, passion, and flavors that always make you feel at home.”
What ICE says
According to ICE, the raids are part of a multi year investigation into alleged labor, tax, and immigration irregularities. They claim they acted with court orders and that the operations included restaurants and homes related to the case. However, the company denies the most serious accusations and maintains that all workers presented the required documentation at the time they were hired.
The conflict is still unresolved, and with it comes continued uncertainty about what will happen to these workers who are simply looking for new opportunities to get ahead in life.
We depend on migration
And not only for hospitality. Agriculture, transportation, cleaning companies. We depend on migrant labor for everything. Without migrants, our country would not prosper, and many people are unable to see beyond their racism and accept this.
The impact on neighborhoods
For many people, these restaurants were not just a place to eat. They were meeting points, cultural spaces, daily routines. Their closure also affects suppliers, delivery drivers, and employees who now do not know what will happen tomorrow, a clear domino effect. But what matters most right now is knowing the whereabouts of the detained workers, who, even if many deny it, are also an active and valued part of our neighborhoods.
Taco Giro Restaurants
Open
- 2097 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista
- 139 W. Cottonwood Ln., Casa Grande
- 2750 W. Valencia Rd., Tucson
- Blvd. El Greco 70, Plaza Cumbres, 84066 Heroica Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
Temporarily Closed
- 77 E. Paseo De Golf, Green Valley
- 610 N. Grande Ave., Tucson
- 1520 Apache Trail, Apache Junction
Listed as Open (Not Confirmed)
- 1402 S. Craycroft Rd., Tucson
Permanently Closed
- 8320 N. Thornydale Rd., Tucson
- 13160 E. Colossal Cave Rd. #100, Vail