Story perspectives

ICE Arrests Asylum-Seeking Cook, Sparks Shop Closure

12/15/2025

Summary

ICE Arrests Cook

On December 13, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Jorge Leonardo Vergara Rubio, a cook at Crumbs & Coffee in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
ICE agents lured Rubio outside by pretending to be customers who had hit his car.
Co-owner Charles Spies expressed disbelief at the tactics, highlighting that Rubio had a work permit and was seeking asylum.
The incident increased fear among employees, prompting Spies to announce the coffee shop's closure.
State Senator John Hoffman criticized the targeting of small businesses and questioned the appropriateness of ICE's actions in the community.

Summary

ICE Conducts Raid

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid on December 13, 2025, at a construction site in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
The raid triggered a standoff with two workers.
Agents attempted to apprehend the workers without warrants, which prompted fear in the community.
Operation Metro Surge has reported over 400 arrests in the Twin Cities.
State Senator John Hoffman criticized targeting of small businesses and community members.

History

Historical Context

Operation Wetback, initiated in 1954, resulted in the deportation of approximately 1.1 million Mexicans amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment following the Bracero Program. This military-style campaign, led by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, created a climate of fear reminiscent of earlier deportations during the Great Depression, raising ongoing concerns about immigrant rights and community trust in law enforcement.

1 of 3

ICE Arrests Cook

On December 13, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Jorge Leonardo Vergara Rubio, a cook at Crumbs & Coffee in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
ICE agents lured Rubio outside by pretending to be customers who had hit his car.
Co-owner Charles Spies expressed disbelief at the tactics, highlighting that Rubio had a work permit and was seeking asylum.
The incident increased fear among employees, prompting Spies to announce the coffee shop's closure.
State Senator John Hoffman criticized the targeting of small businesses and questioned the appropriateness of ICE's actions in the community.

1 / 3