Federal immigration agents targeted a series of Washington, D.C. eateries this week asking for employment information – visiting high-profile establishment linked to CBS anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell.
O’Donnell, a contributor to ’60 minutes’ who moderated last year’s vice presidential debate, is married to Geoff Tracy, proprietor of Chef Geoff’s, one of the restaurants the agents visited.
As at a handful of restaurants they visited amid Trump’s ‘mass deportation’ campaign, agents asked to see I-9 forms for staff. The forms are used for employment eligibility.
Agents also went to Millie’s, a restaurant located near the American University campus in tony Spring Valley, Washingtonian reported. They also hit other restaurants in DC’s Shaw neighborhood and downtown.
‘They all came in all of the public entrances at the same time,’ ownder Bo Blair told the magazine.
The visits came amid rumors among DC’s restaurants and businesses that ICE raids could be coming. Restaurants have been instructing managers and staff about how to respond when agents arrive.
‘I have heard those reports. I’ve been getting them all morning. I am disturbed by them. It appears as though ICE is at restaurants, or even at neighborhoods, and it doesn’t look like they’re targeting criminals, and it does look like they’re disrupting,’ DC Mayor Muriel Bowser told Fox 5.
Owners said the visits sent some employees into a panic.
Agents in Homeland Security uniforms visited a series of D.C. area restaurants this week seeking paperwork. Among the establishments is Chef Geoff’s, whose owner Geoff Tracy is married to CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell
Her remark came during a week when she appeared with Trump at the White House as he announced a plan to build a new football stadium in Washington, DC on the site of the old RFK stadium.
No one was taken into custody after nearly a dozen officials in Department of Homeland Security Agencies visited the establishment.
Restauranteurs said the agents were polite but in some cases said they would be back to follow up.
Trump sued CBS last year demanding $20 billion in damages after its ’60 Minutes’ interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris after attacking how it was edited.
Although many legal experts have attacked the merits of the case, last week parent company Paramount began mediation talks with Trump’s reps. Paramount and Skydance media are seeking approval of an $8 billion merger.
Senate Democrats this week urged top Paramount shareholder Shari Redstone not to settle.
ICE didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chef Geoff’s is one of several DC restaurants visited by Homeland Security agents
Noem visited a notorious prison in El Salvador soon after the administration deported alleged gang members there
Trump’s representatives are in mediation with CBS over Trump’s suit against the network
O’Donnell is married to Chef Geoff owner Geoff Tracy
