Steve Smith’s Nashville Restaurants Close Amid ICE Raids

NASHVILLE, TN — Three Nashville restaurants owned by conservative businessman Steve Smith shut down over the weekend due to fears surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The establishments, including Honky Tonk Central, The Diner, and Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse, faced staff shortages when employees without legal citizenship status were told to leave during a busy Saturday night.

According to an employee who wished to remain anonymous, the situation unfolded around 9:30 p.m. “We were already understaffed because of the ICE raids throughout the weekend. Then, our manager told anyone without legal status to go home,” they said. The timing coincided with major events nearby, only to leave the kitchens vacant when demand peaked.

Smith, who has been a public supporter of former President Donald Trump, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. His restaurants, popular venues on Nashville’s Broadway, have enjoyed considerable success in the past. However, recent incidents show that his business operations heavily rely on immigrant labor, often lacking legal status.

While ICE carried out operations leading to nearly 200 arrests in the Nashville area, over half of those detained reportedly had no criminal history—a fact that contradicts claims by the Trump administration regarding the targeting of violent offenders.

The recent crackdowns have drawn criticism from local officials and immigrant advocates alike. Nashville’s Mayor Freddie O’Connell expressed his concerns regarding these aggressive enforcement actions, stating that local authorities have limited power to intervene. “We are powerless to stop immigration enforcement activity by the federal government,” said Wally Dietz, the city’s lead attorney.

As the weekend raids unfolded, many immigrant employees opted to stay home out of fear of arrest, resulting in further operational challenges for Smith’s establishments. Observers note that this situation illustrates the paradox within Smith’s political alignment and his business practices.