Miami Restaurant Owner Describes Economic Fallout From Immigration Enforcement and TPS Expiration

A Miami restaurateur is speaking out about the economic consequences of stepped-up immigration enforcement in his community. Chef Wilkinson “Ken” Sejour, owner of Chef Creole in Little Haiti, said an August 2 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention near his establishment at 200 NW 54th St. has driven away customers and compounded existing staffing challenges caused by the expiration of Temporary Protected Status work permits for Haitians.

Video recorded by a witness captured ICE agents detaining a man on a scooter steps from Sejour’s restaurant, generating false reports that the eatery itself had been raided. The incident has created a perception of danger that is affecting business, Sejour said, even as he grapples with labor cost increases stemming from the loss of TPS protections. Sejour, whose restaurant has hosted notable figures including the late chef Anthony Bourdain, characterized the current enforcement climate as economically damaging.

Community organizers report visible effects of the policy shift. Success St. Fleur Jr., who organized a back-to-school supply event in Little Haiti on Wednesday, said attendance was noticeably lower than in previous years, reflecting broader anxiety within the neighborhood. The impact extends beyond Haitian immigrants themselves, St. Fleur said, affecting U.S.-born citizens with family and professional ties to those facing uncertainty.

A June 25 U.S. Supreme Court decision permitted the Department of Homeland Security to terminate TPS for approximately 300,000 Haitians effective July 27. Governor Ron DeSantis has aligned with President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda and expanded state-federal enforcement partnerships in Florida. Sejour is among South Florida business owners reporting that the deportation push is damaging the regional economy and has called for a more measured policy approach.