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Venezuelan restaurant chain Arempas closes half its Utah locations

Venezuelan restaurant chain Arempas closes half its Utah locations

Rule Changes Salt Lake City, UT local

Owners point to Trump immigration crackdown as customers and workers disappear

Today: Tribune reports Arempas closures

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Arempas grew from a home empanada business to six locations across Utah's Wasatch Front. In the past year, the Venezuelan chain has closed three of them. Owners Fidel and Sandy Arrieta say the federal immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump emptied their dining rooms and halved their workforce.

The closures reflect a broader pattern. Venezuelan immigrants who flocked to Utah's suburbs are self-deporting or staying home out of fear, and the businesses built around them are shrinking. The Supreme Court's pending review of the Temporary Protected Status revocation could determine whether that trend reverses.

Why it matters

If the fear persists, the Venezuelan community that helped build Utah's restaurant sector keeps shrinking, and the businesses it supported close with it.

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Key Indicators

3 of 6
Arempas locations closed
Three of six Arempas restaurants closed in the past year, in Orem, South Jordan and Sandy.
629
Venezuelans removed from Utah
Detained and removed since Trump's second inauguration, per the Deportation Data Project.
~100
Venezuelan families self-deported or considering
Reported by Utahzolanos Facebook group organizers in the last year.
50%
Arempas workforce lost
About half of employees left or stopped showing up, according to owners.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2019 October 2026

7 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Tribune reports Arempas closures

    Today Report

    Salt Lake Tribune details how the immigration crackdown halved the chain's locations and workforce.

  2. Three Arempas locations close

    Business

    Restaurants in Orem, South Jordan and Sandy shut down as customers and workers disappear.

  3. DHS revokes TPS for Venezuelans

    Policy Change

    Department of Homeland Security ends Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan immigrants.

  4. Arempas featured on Food Network; TPS granted

    Milestone

    Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-ins & Dives' features the restaurant. Venezuelans receive Temporary Protected Status.

  5. First Arempas opens in downtown Salt Lake City

    Milestone

    Fidel and Sandy Arrieta open their first restaurant after selling empanadas from home.

Scenarios

1

Arempas closes its Midvale location

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: The Salt Lake Tribune (owners' own statements)

Sandy Arrieta told the Tribune the couple may need to shut down the Midvale location, which they partially converted into a bar area about a year ago. If customer fear persists and the workforce keeps shrinking, the chain could shrink to a single full-service restaurant plus the food truck and shop.

2

Supreme Court restores TPS for Venezuelans

Uncertain Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: The Salt Lake Tribune (reporting on the 9th Circuit ruling and Supreme Court vacatur)

The Supreme Court vacated the 9th Circuit's ruling that DHS revoked TPS unlawfully, sending it back for review. If the lower court reaffirms and the Supreme Court upholds, TPS protections could be restored, allowing workers to return and easing fear in the community.

3

Arempas stabilizes at three locations

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: The Salt Lake Tribune (owners' determination to keep going)

The Arrietas said they're determined to keep going with the remaining restaurants. If the legal challenges restore TPS or enforcement eases, the business could stabilize at three locations, with the bar, food truck, and shop helping offset losses.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

April-July 2010

Arizona SB 1070 (2010)

Arizona passed a law requiring police to check immigration status during routine stops. Latino residents reported fear of leaving home, and businesses saw declining customers as immigrants avoided public spaces.

Then

Some immigrants left the state; businesses reported revenue drops. The Justice Department sued to block the law.

Now

The Supreme Court struck down key provisions in 2012, but the law's effects on community trust and economic activity persisted for years.

Why this matters now

Shows how immigration enforcement creates fear that reduces economic activity in immigrant communities, the same mechanism Arempas owners describe.

December 2006

Swift & Company raids (2006)

ICE raided Swift meatpacking plants in six states, arresting about 1,300 workers. Plants had to quickly replace workers, and production was disrupted for weeks.

Then

Swift faced labor shortages and hired replacement workers. Many families were separated.

Now

The raids became a template for workplace enforcement and showed how removing immigrant workers disrupts businesses.

Why this matters now

Illustrates the workforce disruption mechanism when immigrant workers are removed, similar to Arempas losing half its staff.

Sources

(4)