News Summary
Texas restaurants, particularly in Houston, are experiencing a significant decline in sales and staffing shortages, largely due to fears stemming from recent immigration raids. With many establishments reporting decreased customer foot traffic and difficulties in hiring, business owners like those at Los Primos are feeling the impacts with staggering losses. The Texas Restaurant Association highlights that a high percentage of the restaurant workforce comprises immigrants, making the current labor crunch a pressing issue that if unresolved, could lead to further declines in the industry and broader economic repercussions.
Texas restaurants are facing significant challenges, with many reporting declining sales and staffing shortages attributed to fears stemming from recent immigration raids targeting Latino communities. This trend is prominently illustrated by the experience of Los Primos, a Mexican restaurant in the Houston area, which has seen a staggering 40% drop in sales as its main clientele—predominantly Latino individuals—hesitate to dine out due to concerns over immigration enforcement.
The Texas Restaurant Association has highlighted alarming trends across the industry. Data from the second quarter of 2025 reveals that 23% of restaurant members reported losing employees, 21% experienced a decrease in job applications, and 16% noted a reduction in customers. This situation has worsened, particularly following a recent ICE operation near Los Primos, which led to zero sales for an entire week.
Emotions surrounding immigration enforcement have created a climate of fear, dissuading customers from dining out and causing staff shortages as employees grapple with the potential repercussions of raids. For instance, one employee at Los Primos was unable to work after a relative was arrested during a raid, showcasing the personal impact of these operations on restaurant staffing.
Many restaurants across Texas and the U.S. are dealing with similar challenges, resulting in combined impacts on sales and the overall dining experience. As customers increasingly opt to stay home, restaurants are seeing a significant decrease in revenue, while many workers are managing their concerns about personal safety and job security related to possible immigration raids.
Currently, around 11 million undocumented individuals reside in the U.S., with estimates suggesting this number may have risen to 14 million. These individuals contribute substantially to the economy, having paid approximately $97 billion in taxes in 2022 alone. However, the fear of being targeted by ICE has disrupted key sectors, especially in the restaurant industry, where the immigrant workforce plays a crucial role.
According to the Texas Restaurant Association, 22% of the state’s restaurant workforce consists of immigrants, excluding those who are undocumented. The association has brought attention to an ongoing labor shortage affecting various industries, including hotels, farms, and meatpacking, due to a lack of workforce availability. Industry leaders have expressed concern that without intervention, many restaurants could face permanent closures.
In response to these challenges, the Texas Restaurant Association is advocating for congressional action to grant temporary work permits to long-term immigrant workers to address the mounting labor gaps. Over 970 chefs and restaurant leaders throughout the U.S. support calls for legislative measures that would allow lawful immigrant workers to remain in the workforce and help alleviate staffing shortages.
Amid this backdrop, consumer spending at restaurants has decreased, as fears surrounding immigration enforcement continue to loom large. The descent in sales has direct ramifications for food prices and service quality in dining establishments, leading to an escalation in costs as businesses struggle to maintain operational levels with a limited workforce.
The situation underscores the vital role that immigrants play within the restaurant industry, as many are hardworking individuals who significantly enhance the overall dining experience. As concerns over immigration enforcement persist, the Texas restaurant landscape faces a critical need for understanding and support, both at the community level and within the legislative framework.
This ongoing crisis within the Texas restaurant sector highlights the intricate links between immigration policy, economic activity, and the social fabric of local communities, showing that the repercussions extend far beyond individual businesses to impact entire communities in significant ways.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- France24: Immigration Raids Drive Away Customers and Staff in Texas Eateries
- Wikipedia: Immigration in the United States
- Gulf Shore Business: Immigration Raids Sapping Business at Texas Eateries
- Google Search: Texas Restaurant Association
- Community Newspaper Group: Immigration Raids Sapping Business at Texas Eateries
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Staffing Shortage
- Caledonian Record: Immigration Raids Sapping Business at Texas Eateries
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Indiana Gazette: Immigration Raids Sapping Business at Texas Eateries
- Google News: Texas Eateries Impact Immigration
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
