South Park’s Buona Forchetta Hit by ICE Raid: What We Know So Far

Updated May 31, 2025 — South Park, San Diego A surprise U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation jolted the normally laid-back South Park neighborhood on Friday afternoon when agents descended on Buona Forchetta and adjacent Enoteca Buona Forchetta, two of the city’s most beloved Italian restaurants. Witnesses say roughly two dozen armed agents arrived about 4:30 p.m., surrounding the corner at 30th Street and Beech before moving inside, handcuffing staff and demanding identification from every employee. What happened inside • General manager Renato Ametrano told reporters the scene was “traumatizing,” adding that three workers were taken away after failing to produce documentation. • ICE confirmed two “worksite enforcement operations” but offered no details, citing an ongoing investigation. • The restaurant closed for Friday dinner service, forfeiting a sold-out reservation book on one of its busiest nights. Street reaction and neighborhood impact As word spread on social media, dozens of residents and diners flocked to the sidewalk, many chanting support for the detained workers and recording video that quickly went viral. Local immigration-rights groups decried the timing—just before the weekend—and promised legal assistance. Owner Matteo Cattaneo, who built Buona Forchetta into a regional mini-chain, said he was “still in shock,” insisting that all staff present proper paperwork during hiring. “We’ll cooperate fully, but right now my focus is on the well-being of my employees,” he said in a brief phone interview. Economic ripple The raid struck at the heart of South Park’s thriving dining scene, where Buona Forchetta routinely draws lines for its Neapolitan pizzas and house-made pastas. Neighboring retailers reported slower foot traffic Friday night as police blocked portions of 30th Street. Industry analysts note that immigration enforcement actions can chill hiring in hospitality, a sector already wrestling with worker shortages. Legal context Under recent Department of Homeland Security guidelines, ICE has ramped up “worksite enforcement” to target employers suspected of knowingly hiring undocumented labor. Penalties can include hefty fines and, in criminal cases, jail time for owners or managers. Attorneys say most probes hinge on Form I-9 audits and anonymous tips; warrants are typically sealed until served. What’s next • Detained employees will undergo immigration hearings that may lead to release, bond or removal. • ICE has 90 days to file formal charges against the restaurants if it alleges hiring violations. • Buona Forchetta plans to reopen Saturday; supporters are organizing a “Dine Out for the Staff” event to offset lost wages. How to support workers Community advocates recommend donating to the South Park Worker Relief Fund and patronizing the restaurant once it reopens. Immigration attorneys also urge anyone with information about the raid to document interactions and contact legal aid. Bottom line Friday’s ICE raid at Buona Forchetta underscores the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and California’s restaurant industry. As South Park residents rally behind a neighborhood institution, the incident may become a flashpoint in San Diego’s broader debate over immigrant labor and local business resilience.