Felipe’s Taqueria, arguably New Orleans’ best Mexican food chain, has reportedly fired multiple employees across its restaurants who couldn’t provide proper legal documentation following a federal immigration investigation.

After the investigations arm of ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, conducted an audit of employee files and flagged a number as potentially fraudulent, the chain allegedly gave the employees an opportunity to provide appropriate documentation, firing those unable to do so.

Additionally, The Advocate reported on a text message sent out via social media alleging that Felipe’s waited until last Wednesday to alert those staffers flagged, because they thought doing so before Mardi Gras “would leave them short-handed.” The message claims the company fired 10 people and hired a “whole new batch.” In response, a restaurant spokesperson countered that some employees resigned and others later stopped reporting to work after being given five days.

With locations in the French Quarter, Uptown, and Mid City, the fast-casual Felipe’s has become a popular spot for margaritas and affordable, customizable cantina food. It was co-founded by a man from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, who opened his first Felipe’s in Cambridge, Massachusetts, following up with the Uptown New Orleans location in 2006.

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