TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A protest supporting Chile and Chili\u2019s, a staple in the Tallahassee community, drew many people out Wednesday after the business announced it was closing down its food truck.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Chile and Chili\u2019s food truck on West Tennessee Street Wednesday evening following the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainment of three employees<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a Tallahassee girl born and raised,\u201d Lilith Smith, a protester, said. \u201cChile and Chili\u2019s is a wonderful business, the best tacos and pozole in town. These are our neighbors and people that cooked our food, so I\u2019m here to show support.\u201d<\/p>\n This comes after three people were detained outside the business last Friday, with a now-viral video showing what transpired.<\/p>\n Following the arrest of its employees, the business announced the closure of its food truck.<\/p>\n WCTV spoke to Marco Tenorio, the owner of Chile and Chili\u2019s. His responses were translated from Spanish by a WCTV employee.<\/p>\n \u201cOn one end, it\u2019s the sadness of closing this business that was once always full and enjoying how so many people enjoyed our food,\u201d Tenorio said. \u201cOn the other hand, the situation of my employees that are detained, we are working hard trying to do everything possible so that we can help them move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n Tenorio said it meant a lot to him to see the community rally around his business and employees, and said they are grateful for the support.<\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate the entire Tallahassee community,\u201d Tenorio said. \u201cThis business was born here, grew right and will to continue to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n Tenorio said they are simply taking a break and rethinking what\u2019s next because they don\u2019t want to put any of their workers at risk.<\/p>\n He said they are also looking for other ways to operate after their food truck workers who are here legally quit.<\/p>\n Protesters said their support for the business will continue.<\/p>\n \u201cMy heart is full,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI\u2019m proud of Tallahassee.\u201d<\/p>\n WCTV reached out to Homeland Security Investigations numerous times since Monday for additional information and confirmation of the arrests but had not received a response as of yet. <\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n