In May 2025, restaurants across Washington, D.C. were shaken when agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted surprise inspections. Workers left mid-shift, others refused to show up, and business owners began voicing their deepest concern: what happens if the immigrant workforce that sustains their industry disappears overnight?
The truth is undeniable: immigrant labor is the backbone of the U.S. hospitality industry and an essential component of the broader American economy. From bustling restaurants in D.C. to nationwide food supply chains, immigrant workers keep businesses running smoothly.
Yet, with President Donald Trump’s second-term administration intensifying immigration enforcement, U.S. employers now face two stark choices: risk disruptions by relying on undocumented labor, or secure a safe, stable, and cost-efficient workforce through programs like the EB-3 visa.
This article explores why immigrant workers are indispensable, the risks of enforcement crackdowns, and why EB-3 visas represent the future for American businesses seeking stability and growth.
ICE Raids and the Growing Fear of Labor Shortages
The May 2025 ICE sweeps in D.C. revealed a fragile truth: the restaurant industry cannot afford to lose immigrant labor. At Millie’s in Spring Valley, three front-of-the-house staff left immediately after DHS agents arrived. At other establishments, owners reported “ghosting” employees—workers who never returned after the raids.
The timing could not have been worse. The raids occurred days before Mother’s Day weekend, one of the busiest periods of the year for restaurants. Shawn Townsend, President of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, warned federal officials of the “economic ripple effect” these audits caused—reservation cancellations, staffing shortages, and widespread fear.
The ICE operations, part of Trump’s executive order to make Washington “safe and beautiful,” apprehended 189 undocumented individuals. While no known restaurant workers were among those detained, the fear was enough to disrupt entire businesses.
Restaurants operate on thin margins. Losing just a handful of staff during peak hours can mean the difference between profit and loss. For many owners, the ICE raids were a wake-up call: relying on undocumented workers exposes businesses to enormous risks.
Why Immigrant Workers Are Indispensable to U.S. Businesses
Workforce Statistics
The reliance on immigrant labor in U.S. restaurants is staggering:
- 46% of chefs, 31% of cooks, and 25% of dishwashers are foreign-born.
- Nearly one in seven hospitality workers nationwide is an immigrant.
- The American Immigration Council notes that mass deportation would devastate industries, shrinking GDP by 4.2% to 6.8%.
Restaurants are not the only sector at risk. Agriculture, construction, logistics, and healthcare also lean heavily on immigrant workers to fill critical roles that keep the economy moving.
Economic Contributions
Immigrant labor is not merely a supplement—it’s an economic engine. In 2024, immigrant workers contributed hundreds of billions to U.S. GDP through labor, taxes, and consumer spending. Removing this workforce would not only cripple industries but also reduce overall tax revenue, leading to cascading effects on schools, infrastructure, and healthcare funding.
Operational Stability
High turnover is a chronic challenge in hospitality. Immigrant workers often provide much-needed stability by staying longer in positions that domestic workers avoid. From washing dishes to serving tables, these workers help businesses operate consistently, allowing managers to focus on growth rather than constant rehiring.
Consequences of Enforcement Crackdowns
Business Disruptions
When ICE visits, workers—whether documented or not—often leave out of fear. The result: restaurants reduce hours, limit menus, or close entirely. For small businesses, even temporary closures can lead to permanent financial damage.
Economic Ripple Effect
The ICE raids in D.C. caused widespread reservation cancellations. Customers, hearing about raids, avoided dining out in affected areas. Industry leaders noted a “chilling effect” that spread far beyond the restaurants directly inspected.
Fear and Consumer Behavior
Enforcement doesn’t only affect employees—it impacts customers. Hispanic communities, many with mixed immigration status households, reduce spending when immigration crackdowns intensify. For instance, in 2025, Jack in the Box reported a 7.1% sales drop due in part to lower participation from Hispanic consumers. Fear drives both labor shortages and reduced consumer demand.
EB-3 Visa Program – A Legal and Cost-Effective Solution
What Is EB-3?
The EB-3 visa is an employment-based immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. It provides businesses with a legal, long-term solution to labor shortages while offering workers stability and a pathway to the American Dream.
Benefits for Employers
- Stable Workforce: EB-3 workers arrive with the intention to stay and contribute long-term, reducing turnover.
- Cost Efficiency: Employers pay prevailing wages but avoid skyrocketing turnover costs and emergency hiring.
- Legal Protection: Compliance with federal law shields businesses from ICE fines, audits, and penalties.
- Consistency and Quality: Reliable staffing ensures customer satisfaction and operational continuity.
By hiring through EB-3, businesses replace uncertainty with security, building teams that can withstand enforcement crackdowns.
Case Study – The Hospitality Sector in Crisis
In D.C., restaurant owners like Luis Reyes of Lauriol Plaza voiced a painful truth: “Who will wash dishes? Nobody wants to do that. Only the hard workers, the people who come from Honduras and El Salvador.”
This statement reflects a reality echoed nationwide. Immigrant workers perform essential roles that many domestic workers refuse. When those workers leave, businesses suffer immediate consequences: longer wait times, frustrated customers, and strained staff.
Restaurant owners understand that immigrant labor is not about “cheap labor”—it’s about quality and reliability. EB-3 workers provide both.
Beyond Restaurants – Broader U.S. Industries Depend on Immigrant Labor
While hospitality garners headlines, immigrant workers are equally vital in other sectors:
- Agriculture: Over 50% of U.S. farm laborers are foreign-born, ensuring food security.
- Manufacturing: Immigrants fill roles that keep supply chains moving.
- Construction: Major infrastructure projects rely heavily on immigrant crews.
- Healthcare: Immigrant workers support hospitals, nursing homes, and home care.
Mass deportation or restrictive enforcement doesn’t just affect one industry—it sends shockwaves across the entire economy.
Why Businesses Should Partner with Winbi LLC for EB-3 Hiring
Comprehensive Legal Support
Winbi LLC manages the entire process—from recruitment to visa processing and compliance. Employers can focus on operations while we handle the legal complexities.
Reduced Risks for Employers
By ensuring every worker is properly documented, Winbi LLC protects businesses from fines, penalties, and labor shortages caused by enforcement sweeps.
Proven Experience
With a history of connecting American businesses to reliable EB-3 workers, Winbi LLC offers the expertise and trust employers need to safeguard their operations.
The ICE raids in Washington, D.C. exposed a harsh reality: U.S. businesses cannot survive without immigrant labor. Yet undocumented hiring is risky and unsustainable.
The solution lies in the EB-3 visa program—a safe, cost-effective, and future-proof strategy. By partnering with Winbi LLC, businesses can ensure stability, protect themselves legally, and build a workforce committed to long-term success.
Immigrant labor is not a liability—it is America’s strength. The path forward is not fear and disruption, but stability, legality, and growth.
Contact Winbi LLC today to secure your workforce and protect your business’s future.
