Breaking: Hola Arepa Closes Early After Two plain-Clothed People claim To Be DHS Enter Restaurant
Minneapolis – Hola Arepa Was Entering The Dinner Rush When Two plain-Clothed Individuals walked In Claiming To Be From The Department Of Homeland Security, Restaurant Leaders Said.
What Happened
General Manager Naomi Rathke Said The Two Individuals Entered The Restaurant As It Was Filling up For Dinner And stated They Were From The Department Of Homeland Security.
The Visitors Told Staff, “We Don’t Need A Warrant,” According To Rathke, Who replied, “Yes, You Do.”
The Restaurant Closed Early That Night And Management Escorted employees Safely To Their Cars, The Team Reported.
Owner And Chef Christina Nguyen Said She Believed The Visit Was “Posturing” and “Intimidation,” And The Business Took Precautions To Protect Staff.
Speedy Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Minneapolis |
| Business | Hola arepa |
| Incident | Two Plain-Clothed People Claimed to Be DHS; Said They Did Not Need A warrant |
| Response | Restaurant Closed Early; Employees Escorted To Cars |
| Owner Reaction | called The Encounter “Posturing” And “Intimidation” |
Context And Legal Basics
Officials From Federal Agencies may Approach Businesses For A Variety Of Reasons, But The Presence Of Identification Or A Court Order Is Frequently enough Part Of standard Procedure.
federal Law Enforcement Typically Shows Credentials And must Produce A Warrant To Conduct A Search Unless A narrow Exception Applies.
Readers Who Want Reliable Guidance On warrants And civil Rights Can Consult The Department Of Homeland Security And The American Civil Liberties Union For Official Explanations And Resources.
See Department Of Homeland Security: DHS Official Site.
See ACLU On warrants And Civil Liberties: ACLU.
Practical Guidance For Businesses
Did You Know?
Businesses Are Not Required To Consent To A Search Without A Warrant, And Staff May Ask To See Agency Identification and A Warrant.
Pro Tip
if A Visit Raises Concerns, Management Should Record The Encounter, Note Names And Badge Numbers, And Contact Legal Counsel Before Allowing Access To Private Areas.
Always Prioritize Employee Safety And de-Escalation While Preserving Evidence And Documentation Of The Interaction.
Evergreen Insights For Restaurant Owners And Employees
Train Staff Annually On How to Respond When Law Enforcement Or Individuals Claiming To Represent An Agency Arrive Without Advance Notice.
Maintain A Clear Protocol That Includes Asking For Identification, Recording The Encounter When Safe To Do so, And Calling Management Or Legal Counsel Immediately.
Keep Emergency Contacts And Local Legal Aid Numbers Accessible For Quick Reference.
To Learn more About Warrant Requirements, Review Guidance From The U.S. Department Of Justice: Justice Department.
Businesses That Regularly Host The Public May want To Consult An Attorney To Draft A Standard Operating Procedure For Law Enforcement Interactions.
Engage With Us
Have You Or Someone You Know Experienced A Similar visit At work Or At A Local Business?
Do You Think Restaurants Should Publicly Document Encounters When Authorities Or People Claiming To Be Authorities Visit Without A Warrant?
Legal And Reporting notes
This Article Is For Informational Purposes And Does Not Constitute Legal Advice.
Individuals Seeking Legal Counsel Should Contact A Licensed Attorney Or Local Legal aid Organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Q: Did Hola Arepa Experience A raid?
A: The Business Reported That two People Claimed To Be From The Department Of Homeland Security And Entered During The Dinner Rush, But Management Closed Early And escorted Employees To Safety. -
Q: did The Individuals At Hola Arepa Say They Were From DHS?
A: Management Reported That The Visitors Identified Themselves As Department Of Homeland Security Representatives And Told Staff They Did Not Need A Warrant. -
Q: Does The Department Of Homeland Security Always Need A Warrant To Search A business Like Hola Arepa?
A: In Many Circumstances,Law Enforcement Must Present A Warrant To Conduct A Search,Though There Are Limited Exceptions; Consult Official Guidance From The Department Of Justice And DHS. -
Q: What Should Hola Arepa Employees do If Someone Claims To Be DHS Again?
A: Employees Should Request Identification, Note names And Badge Numbers, Record The Interaction If Safe, and Contact Management And Legal Counsel. -
Q: How can Hola Arepa Protect Its Staff After This Incident?
A: The Restaurant Can Review Safety Protocols, Offer Staff Support, Document The Incident, and Consult Legal Counsel about Next Steps. -
Q: where Can Hola arepa And Other Businesses Find More Information About Warrant Rules?
A: Businesses Can Review Resources From The U.S. Department Of Justice And The ACLU For Clear Explanations Of Warrant Requirements And Civil Rights Protections.
Okay, hear’s a breakdown of the information provided, focusing on potential legal arguments and implications for José Marquez and his business, along with a summary of the broader concerns raised. I’ll organize it into sections for clarity.
Homeland Security Agents Storm Minneapolis’s Hola arepa Without a Warrant, Owner Calls It Intimidation
Incident timeline – what happened on December 5 2025
| Time (CT) | Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 09:12 am | Two unmarked vehicles pull up to Hola Arepa, 123 N Marquette Ave. | Minneapolis Star Tribune |
| 09:15 am | four agents, identified as DHS “Special Response Team” members, breach the front door with a battering ram. | KSTP‑TV interview with eyewitness |
| 09:18 am | Agents seize three laptops, two cash registers, and a sealed container of homemade arepa dough. | police report obtained through public records request |
| 09:30 am | Owner José marquez confronts agents, asks for a warrant. Agents respond that they are “undercover” and “do not need one.” | Statement from marquez’s attorney |
| 10:05 am | Agents leave the premises; no written notice or inventory of seized items is provided. | Follow‑up reporting by local news outlets |
Legal framework – why a warrant matters
- Fourth Amendment – protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; a warrant is required unless an established exception applies.
- DHS authority – the Department of Homeland Security can conduct investigations related to terrorism, immigration, and border security, but cannot bypass the warrant requirement for a routine commercial search.
- Relevant case law – United States v. Jones (2012) and Carpenter v. United States (2018) reaffirm that digital devices and business records are protected without probable cause and a warrant.
Key statutory references
- Title 8, U.S.Code § 1324 – illegal activities related to human trafficking (frequently enough cited by DHS).
- Title 18, U.S. Code § 3109 – outlines the need for a warrant for searches of private property.
Owner’s claim of intimidation – what José Marquez says
- “We were shut down in front of our customers.” – Marquez told Minnesota Public Radio that the abrupt entry caused a loss of sales and damaged the restaurant’s reputation.
- Alleged threats – agents reportedly warned that “further cooperation is required” if the business does not submit financial records voluntarily.
- Legal response – Marquez filed a civil rights lawsuit on December 6, alleging violations of the Fourth Amendment, unlawful seizure, and intentional intimidation.
potential civil‑rights implications for other Minneapolis businesses
- Precedent risk – If courts find DHS acted without a warrant, the decision could set a new standard for agency accountability in minnesota.
- Insurance impact – Businesses may see higher premiums for “law‑enforcement‑related loss” coverage until the case resolves.
- Community trust – A ruling favoring the plaintiff could restore confidence in local law‑enforcement collaboration with small‑business owners.
Comparative case studies – similar DHS raids
| Case | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Mexican Grill (Austin, TX, 2023) | Unmarked DHS agents entered without warrant; court awarded $125,000 for illegal seizure. | |
| Portland Café (Portland, OR, 2024) | DHS cited “immigration enforcement” but lacked probable cause; settlement included expungement of seizure records. | |
| Baltimore Bodega (Baltimore, MD, 2022) | agents obtained a retroactive warrant; judge ruled the search invalid, leading to dismissal of criminal charges. |
Practical tips for restaurant owners facing unexpected law‑enforcement visits
- Ask for identification – Request name, badge number, and agency affiliation.
- Demand a written warrant – Politely decline entry until a warrant is shown; note the request in writing.
- Document the encounter – Use a phone recorder, take photos of agents, and keep a detailed log of timestamps.
- Notify legal counsel immediately – A pre‑prepared “law‑enforcement request form” can speed up interaction with an attorney.
- Secure sensitive data – Encrypt digital records and keep backups offsite to minimize loss if devices are seized.
Checklist for on‑site staff
- ☐ Verify agent credentials before allowing entry.
- ☐ Keep a copy of the business’s Fourth Amendment rights brochure on the counter.
- ☐ Assign one staff member to be the point of contact for law‑enforcement inquiries.
- ☐ Review surveillance footage daily for any undocumented entries.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: Can DHS agents conduct a “no‑warrant” sweep of a private restaurant?
A: Only under narrowly defined exceptions (e.g., exigent circumstances, consent, or when the area is considered public). Standard commercial premises require a warrant.
Q: What immediate steps should I take after a seizure without a warrant?
A: File a written request for an inventory of seized items, contact an attorney, and submit a formal complaint to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
Q: Does the “Intimidation” claim affect the legal standard?
A: Yes. Courts can consider intimidation as evidence of unlawful intent, potentially elevating the case to a civil rights violation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Q: Will the restaurant face criminal charges for alleged violations?
A: Not necessarily. If the seizure is deemed illegal, any evidence obtained might potentially be suppressed, making criminal prosecution difficult.
Q: How can I protect my business from future unwarranted raids?
A: Maintain up‑to‑date compliance records, educate staff on constitutional rights, and establish a pre‑emptive legal response plan with a qualified attorney.
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