SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at local Rio Grande Valley restaurants and businesses have sparked fear across the region.
Valley Central spoke to Alexis Vasquez, who was arrested on Monday at Taqueria Mante in San Benito, and explained some of the anxieties felt days prior and how, just hours later, he was taken by a van to an international bridge in Brownsville and deported to Mexico.
Vasquez gave first-hand details on how the raid happened and his arrest.
Monday was a typical day at work for the 22-year-old, until it wasn’t.
“Suddenly, I saw a truck pull in, then another one, and then another, and I thought, ‘These aren’t customers—this looks really suspicious.’ Then I saw my coworkers — the American ones — start running and telling us to leave,” Vasquez said. “So, I ran out through the restaurant’s emergency exit. I was about to hide behind some trees when, all of a sudden, an ICE agent appeared in front of me.”
Vasquez says his boss had told his employees days prior that they could continue working but at their own risk, since his employer had to still keep the business open to pay bills and rent. Vasquez continued working as he had his own bills to pay.
“It was very painful to see my coworkers handcuffed as if they were criminals, when we were all honest workers just making food — Mexican food that people enjoy,” Vasquez said.
He says ICE agents asked him several times if he was an American citizen and only took his cellphone away once he was detained. He says they allowed him to keep the money in his pockets, and he was provided water and food.
After checking his criminal record, ICE gave him the choice to either self-deport or to fight his case in immigration court.
“I told the ICE officer that I wanted voluntary departure, and he was really nice about it,” Vasquez said. “He said it was a very good decision, and we even started laughing and everything. He was supposed to take my hand to do the fingerprinting, but I was doing it myself, and he laughed and said I was even doing his job.”
Alexis’ mother, Nereyda Vasquez, lives in Matamoros, and she began worrying about her son after she did not hear from him for several hours. She got even more worried as people began posting videos of a raid at the restaurant where he worked.
“My heart started racing, and I messaged my sister-in-law to ask if my son had gone to work,” Vasquez said. “She said ‘yes,’ and I felt my heart beating really hard. I called him, but he didn’t answer. Then people started sending me the video where my son appears, and honestly, I broke down crying and got a bit hysterical.”
Hours later, Alexis reunited with his mother after close to three years of not seeing her in person. He says the situation is bittersweet but he’s glad to celebrate his upcoming birthday with family on June 25.
He hopes those thinking of crossing illegally do not, as he considers it not worth the risk, and also hopes families facing a similar situation remain strong.
“Personally, I felt the tension and nervousness — like, you can’t even go out comfortably to buy food or go to work anymore, because there’s always that fear that ICE might stop you or something,” Vasquez said. “The anxiety is really intense. But keep pushing forward, and if you’re thinking about crossing illegally right now — don’t do it.”
Alexis said his sisters are all U.S. citizens and live in San Benito. For now, he tells ValleyCentral that he has already found a job at a Matamoros restaurant, and he’s ready to serve all customers like he once did here.
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