Owner’s Son Leaving for Navy boot camp next month
by Tony Shin / KUSI / Nov 20, 2025
The owner of a popular Mexican restaurant in Mission Beach is being held by federal immigration authorities and faces possible deportation, prompting family members and loyal customers to call for his release.
Victor Rodriguez Sr., 54, owner of La Playa Taco Shop, is currently detained at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, according to his family. He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents outside his National City home on Halloween morning.
Family members said Rodriguez is in the country without legal status but has spent decades attempting to obtain lawful residency or citizenship through legal channels.
“He helped me a lot. It’s too difficult now because I have to do things I’m not used to,” said his wife, Gabriela Rodriguez, who continues to run the restaurant in his absence.
Rodriguez and his wife have owned La Playa Taco Shop for nearly 30 years. Their son, Victor Rodriguez Jr., said his father was taken into custody after several vehicles surrounded him.
“They ripped him out of his car,” he said. “Four cars pulled up on him and four to six people pulled him out.”
Victor Jr. said his father has no criminal record and has repeatedly applied for legal status, including work permits, while supporting his three U.S.-born children and maintaining the family business. He said his mother was recently approved for the next step toward permanent residency, but his father’s applications have been denied.
“He’s cultivated a great community. He cherishes this country for giving him the opportunity,” Rodriguez Jr. said. “He’s been doing everything the right way.”
The family has hired an immigration attorney in an effort to prevent Rodriguez’s deportation. Customers and community members have also written letters to the Department of Homeland Security urging that he be released.
Longtime customer Jeff Huting said Rodriguez represents the values of a hardworking immigrant business owner. “He’s running a family-owned business, paying taxes, and has permits posted on the walls,” Huting said.
Huting’s twin brother, David, said he supports strong immigration enforcement but believes the focus should remain on violent or repeat offenders.
“To pick up a business owner who’s been law-abiding and providing an important service to the beach community — that’s just wrong,” he said.
The Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
Victor Rodriguez Jr., who leaves for Navy boot camp next month, said he hopes his father will be released before his departure.
That’s a very moving story. I admire how the Mission Beach community is rallying around Victor Rodriguez Sr., whose longtime taco shop has become a beloved local institution. The reports that he was “ripped … out of his car” by ICE agents are heartbreaking, especially in contrast to how much he has given back through decades of hard work and serving others. Seeing faithful customers, neighbors, and family write letters and raise funds shows how deeply people care and it’s a powerful reminder of how much strength and solidarity real community can generate.
https://www.susanaureliagitelson.com/
So much for their stated policy of rounding us the worst of the worst, criminals and gang members. This is so disgusting. I can’t wait until the Trump regime is ended. I hope this gentleman is freed soon. God Bless him and his family,
Sickening, spending DECADES trying to obtain legal citizenship. … Recently released concerning the Chicago raid- Of the 614 immigrants detained in Chicago during a recent enforcement operation (“Midway Blitz”), only 16 (less than 3%) had criminal records, according to federal government data. This means the vast majority of those detained, about 97%, had no criminal record at the time of their arrest. But they’re going after the worst of the worst, right serial lying felon leader?
I’ve been going to La Playa for years, and Victor is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I know. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover legal fees.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-victor-home-save-la-playa-taco-shop