JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A viral video from a joint law enforcement operation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is having an unintended impact on a local multicultural supermarket, even though the business had no involvement in the incident.
The operation took place along Beach Boulevard on January 13, just feet away from Mi Pueblo, a popular multicultural grocery store. According to co-owner Juan Alvarez, the encounter happened about 25 feet from his business and has since scared customers away.
“What began as a law enforcement operation along Beach Boulevard on January 13th quickly escalated, and all of it happened just steps away from Mi Pueblo,” Alvarez said.
“They stopped right in front of the business and that escalated,” Alvarez explained.
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He said the situation intensified rapidly when a woman exited her vehicle.
“Then the lady got out of her truck and she started swinging and punching,” Alvarez said.
Video of the confrontation, which shows the woman going to the ground, was captured on camera and quickly spread across social media. Alvarez said misinformation spread just as fast, linking his business to the ICE operation despite having no connection.
“Rumors started spreading. Customers were calling and saying, ‘Hey, they said ICE is in your business taking people.’ I mean, so many things people started saying,” Alvarez said.
As the rumors circulated, Alvarez said customers stopped coming in during peak hours, worried that ICE agents were inside or targeting the store, something he insists is not true.
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“Yes, I want to make that very clear, in this business, they were not looking for anybody here, nor were they detaining any customers or employees at all,” Alvarez said.
Investigators say the arrest involved a woman identified as Jennifer Cruz, who is accused of attacking law enforcement during the operation. Cruz now faces multiple felony charges.
Alvarez emphasized again that the incident had nothing to do with Mi Pueblo.
His concern now is the broader impact such operations can have on nearby businesses.
“I feel like they should put that into consideration when they’re doing their operation,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez hopes that setting the record straight will help restore trust and bring customers back to a business that has served the community for years.
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