In this powerful and timely episode of Taqueando with Bill Esparza, powered by Acquired Taste Media, Bill sits down with immigration attorney Karla Navarrete - widely known on Instagram as @abogadachicana - to talk about how restaurants and hospitality workers can prepare for, respond to, and recover from ICE raids targeting undocumented workers.

As Los Angeles grapples with a new wave of immigration enforcement, sparked by sweeping overreach from the Trump administration, this conversation is essential for restaurant owners, managers, and workers alike. Karla breaks down what employers can legally do before, during, and after a raid, and shares critical resources for undocumented employees, including legal aid, emergency planning, and workplace rights.

💥 Key Takeaways:

• What to do before ICE arrives

• How to legally respond during an ICE raid

• What protections and resources are available after

• How restaurants can foster a culture of preparedness and advocacy
  

🛠️ Resources Shared in the Episode:

• CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights)

• Immigrant Defenders Law Center

• Central American Resource Center – CARECEN LA

• National Immigration Law Center

• Cielo
  

At the top of the episode, Bill also recaps his recent culinary tour of San Diego, including:

🍷 Valle – Baja cuisine meets wine country elegance

🌮 Quixote at The Lafayette Hotel – mezcal-forward and full of heat

🌺 Mujer Divina Brunch – a soulful celebration of Mexican breakfast traditions

🍕 Sonny’s Pizza – crispy, cheesy, cult-favorite slices

🍸 Lilo (Carlsbad) – a brand-new fine dining spot with serious Michelin aspirations

Whether you're in the kitchen, at the front of house, or leading a restaurant team, this episode arms you with knowledge, solidarity, and community support in the face of immigration crackdowns.

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