A small bakery in a predominantly Hispanic town in Texas is struggling to maintain business after its owners were accused of concealing and harboring undocumented immigrants. The arrest of Leonardo Baez and Nora Avila-Guel, who are legal U.S. permanent residents, has raised questions about the limits of support for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The bakery, Abby’s Bakery, is a staple in the community, where many residents have personal connections to the owners. However, Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested eight employees on February 12, alleging they were concealing and harboring immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally. The owners had green cards but no work permits at the time of the arrest.
The community has rallied around the bakery, with some customers expressing sympathy for the owners. Monsignor Pedro Briseño of St. Cecilia Church said that one of his parishioners came to him crying after learning about the arrest. Support for deporting undocumented immigrants is strong in Texas, but opinions seem to soften when it comes to everyday people who are not criminals.
The incident has highlighted the complexities of Trump’s immigration policies, which often prioritize enforcing border security over individual cases. The president and his aides have emphasized that they are targeting only those with a criminal record, but critics argue that this approach leads to the deportation of innocent people who are simply trying to survive.
Despite the controversy surrounding their arrest, the bakery has reopened after the owners were released on bond. Long-time customers have expressed loyalty, saying that Abby’s Bakery is unique and provides essential services to the community. The incident has also sparked a conversation about the importance of supporting small businesses in underserved communities.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-texas-bakery-border-homan-trump-335468ef4f0e577fa03ec03463e20854