A family-owned Mexican restaurant in Arizona is facing a wave of backlash after reaffirming a long-standing policy: offering free meals to law enforcement officers — including agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Sammy’s Mexican Grill, owned by Jorge Rivas, has been inundated with negative online reviews, hostile phone calls, and social media criticism after a video highlighted the restaurant’s policy of extending complimentary meals to ICE agents. The controversy erupted when a local reporter asked Rivas whether the free-meal offer applied to federal immigration officers. His answer was straightforward.
“Of course it does because they’re also law enforcement agents,” Rivas said. “They’re enforcing laws that have been on the books for many years.”
Rivas, who emigrated from El Salvador, emphasized that the policy is not new. According to him, the restaurant has been offering free meals to law enforcement for more than five years. ICE agents, like local police officers, have periodically accepted the offer. “This is not something new that we just started,” he said.
Since the video circulated online, however, the restaurant has experienced what Rivas describes as an organized surge of one-star reviews and hostile messages. Some reviews have alleged unsanitary conditions or claimed foodborne illness — accusations Rivas strongly disputes.
“When you hear the negativity and the insults over and over, it bothers you,” he acknowledged. Staff members have attempted to respond politely to callers, often replying with “God bless you” and wishing them a good day.
The backlash comes amid heightened national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. Recent incidents involving ICE and Border Patrol agents have sparked protests in several cities. ICE has reported sharp increases in threats and assaults against officers in recent months, though those figures have not been independently verified in this report.
Rivas, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump who has previously run for office in Arizona as a Republican, views the free-meal policy as a gesture of appreciation for law enforcement. Critics argue that extending public support to ICE during a period of heated debate over immigration policy sends a political message.
The situation highlights a broader reality: in today’s climate, even small business decisions can become flashpoints in national political debates. A policy that had operated quietly for years is now the subject of viral scrutiny, reflecting how deeply immigration enforcement divides public opinion.
For now, Rivas says he intends to continue the practice and respond to critics without escalating tensions. “Putting more hate onto hate is not going to lead anywhere good,” he said.
