News Summary
Houston’s restaurant industry, especially those catering to the Latino community, is enduring a significant downturn due to immigration crackdowns. Business owners report sharp declines in sales and staff shortages as fear among customers keeps them away. With the community heavily relying on immigrant labor, the Texas Restaurant Association is advocating for work permits to stabilize the workforce. The future of culinary establishments in the area hangs in the balance as concerns over food prices and service quality loom.
Texas restaurant owners are grappling with a significant decline in sales and staffing shortages, largely attributed to recent immigration crackdowns and fears stemming from government raids. Oscar Garcia Santaella, who operates the Houston-area taco eatery Los Primos, reports a staggering 40% drop in sales during a time when many in his Latino customer base are hesitant to dine out due to the threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. This situation is not unique to Santaella; it reflects a broader problem impacting the Texas restaurant sector and beyond.
According to recent data from the Texas Restaurant Association, 23% of its members experienced a loss of employees in the second quarter of 2025. Additionally, 21% reported fewer job applications, and 16% encountered a decrease in customers. This trend may have severe ramifications for the industry as the ongoing fear of deportation prompts immigrant communities to withdraw from public settings, diminishing both consumer traffic and the available workforce.
The broader context reveals that as of 2022, approximately 11 million individuals resided in the United States without legal status, with projections suggesting this population may expand to 14 million. Notably, undocumented workers contributed an estimated $97 billion in taxes last year. Nearly half of the foreign-born workforce includes Latino individuals, indicating the significant role these communities play in not only the restaurant sector but across various industries, including agriculture and manufacturing.
Impact of Immigration Crackdowns
The impact of immigration enforcement on local businesses has become increasingly evident. Santaella recently experienced an ICE operation near his restaurant that lasted a week, resulting in zero sales as community members refrained from leaving their homes out of fear. This sentiment is echoed by other restaurateurs, including the owner of Birria Los Primos, who had to close four food trucks due to an overwhelming abundance of uncertainty affecting both workers and customers. Business for this owner plummeted from around 40 orders a day to as few as 2 orders.
Broader Economic Consequences
Industry leaders across Texas are voicing concern over these developments. The Texas Restaurant Association highlights the critical staffing shortages as a driving force behind declining sales. Over 970 chefs, restaurant owners, and industry leaders have advocated for the provision of a temporary work status for tax-compliant and law-abiding immigrant workers. The potential decline in the number of employees in restaurants has broader implications, potentially leading to rising food prices and declining service quality.
Emily Williams, the President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, has pointed out that the restaurant industry is in the midst of a crisis due to the dual challenges of worker shortages and falling sales. She posits that it is possible to achieve a secure border and cultivate a strong economy simultaneously through necessary immigration reforms. Such measures could help stabilize the workforce and allow businesses to recover from the recent downturn.
Conclusion
As the Texas restaurant industry contemplates its future amid these challenges, the need for a balance in immigration policy becomes increasingly urgent. With diminished customer bases and a shrinking labor pool, many restaurant owners are left wondering how they will sustain their businesses if conditions do not improve. The ongoing decline in sales paired with workforce shortages presents a troubling scenario that could continue to complicate the economic landscape in Texas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- France 24
- Wikipedia: Immigration
- Gulf Shore Business
- Google Search: Texas eateries immigration raids
- Community Newspaper Group
- Google Scholar: Immigration raids Texas restaurants
- Indiana Gazette
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration raids
- KHOU
- Google News: Texas restaurants workforce
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.
