On August 1, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the United States conducted a surprise raid at the well-known Asian supermarket, “Asia Food Market,” located on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Buffalo. The operation took place at 10 a.m. and involved the deployment of 17 enforcement vehicles, resulting in the arrest of several employees and the seizure of multiple phones, computers, and business records.
A large number of enforcement officers cordoned off the area, forcing the supermarket to remain closed for the entire day, sparking widespread community concern.
According to the market’s lawyer, ICE entered the premises with a search warrant, apprehending several employees and seizing multiple phones, computers, and employee business records. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service also participated in the operation.
The market’s lawyer, Alejandro Gutiérrez, stated that ICE had previously raised concerns about the market’s hiring practices. However, he emphasized that the owner has always employed workers lawfully and maintained all relevant documentation. He criticized the authorities for what he deemed as excessive action that disrupted the business operations.
“This is just a way to shut down a business for a few days,” Gutiérrez pointed out. “They could have simply requested copies of the documents from the owner instead of shutting down the store and taking equipment, which is a waste of resources and deprives the right to due process.”
Gutiérrez noted that despite the presence of approximately 17 enforcement vehicles on the scene during the operation, only a few employees were arrested, raising questions about its necessity. He stressed that enforcement actions should not target immigrant businesses that contribute significantly to the community by creating jobs and providing services.
“These businesses offer employment and services to the community, and to be treated like this is truly regrettable,” he said.
An ICE spokesperson only mentioned that further information could not be provided at the moment due to the ongoing investigation.
Currently, Asia Food Market remains temporarily closed, with investigations still ongoing. The incident has raised concerns among local residents and the immigrant community regarding the transparency and fairness of enforcement actions.