Immigration enforcement has returned to the forefront in the nation’s capital, affecting even media elites. On Tuesday, federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated a series of workplace inspections, including a notable visit to Chef Geoff’s, a restaurant owned by CBS News anchor Norah O’Donnell’s husband, Geoff Tracy.
In a renewed effort to enforce America’s immigration laws—following years of leniency under the Biden administration—ICE officers inspected at least nine restaurants throughout Washington, D.C., requesting I-9 forms to confirm that employees are legally authorized to work in the United States. Among the establishments targeted were popular venues such as Millie’s, Officina, Pupatella, and Call Your Mother—many of which are well-known in the city’s affluent liberal neighborhoods.
At Chef Geoff’s, agents dedicated approximately 90 minutes to examining employment records, although no arrests occurred on the premises. The restaurant is part of a small, upscale chain that is often frequented by Beltway elites.
This operation was not a random occurrence. The raid coincides with President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reinstating its stringent approach to immigration enforcement—one that emphasizes adherence to the law over political considerations. The latest DHS policy even provides $1,000 in travel assistance to undocumented immigrants who choose to return to their home countries voluntarily, indicating a serious initiative to encourage self-deportation rather than expensive and contentious detentions.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” stated DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday. “DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App.
In Washington D.C., not all individuals are happy about the resurgence of federal immigration enforcement—particularly the city’s progressive leadership. Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser, a long-time advocate of sanctuary policies, voiced her concerns regarding the federal initiative.
“It appears they are not focusing on criminals,” Bowser remarked, overlooking the fundamental legality of employing undocumented workers. “It is causing disruption,” she further explained, emphasizing that D.C.’s police were not participating in these operations.
Simultaneously, restaurant proprietors rushed to handle the unexpected inspections. At Millie’s, the owner stated that he refused ICE agents access to his staff, although officials did not escalate the matter. Other establishments reported more collaborative encounters, with some owners being notified of impending inspections beforehand.
The subtle yet resolute reintroduction of workplace enforcement indicates that America’s immigration system is once again trending towards law and order. Despite the Biden administration’s years of weakening immigration enforcement in favor of so-called “equity” and open-border policies, the American populace—largely supportive of legal immigration and robust borders—is witnessing a transformation.
Moreover, when even the spouse of a mainstream media figure like Norah O’Donnell is not exempt, it conveys a strong message: under a Trump-led DHS, no individual is above the law.
