No More Illegal Jobs in Desi Stores as U.S. Immigration Raids Rise

Indian restaurants and South Asian grocery stores across the United States are enforcing stricter hiring policies following intensified immigration raids. Business owners, fearing legal repercussions, are now avoiding hiring undocumented workers and those without valid employment authorization.

Recent federal enforcement actions have led to workplace inspections in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. Authorities have ramped up efforts to identify businesses employing individuals without proper work permits, resulting in multiple arrests and penalties. Employers found violating immigration laws risk fines, loss of business licenses, and potential criminal charges.

A job advertisement posted at Desi Chowrastha, an Indian grocery store, reflects this shift. The hiring notice explicitly limits applications to those with legal work authorization, such as H-4 EAD holders, Green Card holders, and U.S. citizens. This shows a growing trend among South Asian business owners prioritizing compliance with federal employment laws to avoid scrutiny.

The heightened enforcement measures follow a broader federal push to curb unauthorized employment. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been conducting workplace audits, leading some employees without proper documentation to quit jobs or avoid public spaces out of fear of detention.

Many undocumented workers in the South Asian community, who previously relied on part-time jobs in restaurants and grocery stores, now face uncertainty.