Zipps Customers Worry About Fate of Beloved Staff After ICE Raids

Customers return to the popular sports bar, now temporarily closed, with concerns about immigration enforcement actions and the future of Zipps employees.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 6:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Federal immigration authorities conducted a sweeping investigation and raid at multiple Zipps Sports Grill locations across the Phoenix area, resulting in the arrest of over 35 employees. The raids have left Zipps' loyal customers worried about what will happen next and the fate of the beloved staff who served them food and drinks.

Why it matters

The Zipps raids are part of a broader crackdown on immigration enforcement in Arizona, with the state bracing for increased ICE activity and a new massive ICE facility set to open. The raids have sparked protests and raised concerns about transparency from federal authorities, as well as fears among the local community about the impacts on hardworking people.

The details

During the Jan. 26 raids, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations division executed over a dozen criminal federal search warrants at multiple Zipps locations, resulting in the arrest of more than 35 employees. Officials cited violations including unlawful employment of aliens, identity theft, and document fraud. The Zipps location on Mill Avenue in Tempe remained shuttered in the aftermath, leaving customers worried about the fate of the staff.

  • The raids occurred on January 26, 2026.
  • On February 4, 2026, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited the Arizona-Mexico border in Nogales.

The players

Jalen Jones

A customer at Zipps Sports Grill who was present during the raids and expressed concerns about the lack of transparency from immigration authorities and the impact on the staff.

Matt McDaniel

An employee at a global investment bank who frequents the Tempe Zipps location and voiced strong frustration with the ICE raids and their broader implications.

Kevin Skinner

McDaniel's colleague who also expressed anger and frustration with the ICE raids at Zipps and called for residents to take to the streets in protest.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security who visited the Arizona-Mexico border on February 4, 2026 and promised to continue the fight against illegal immigration.

Zipps Sports Grill

A popular sports bar chain with multiple locations across the Phoenix area that was targeted in the ICE raids.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They are ripping people out of places.”

— Jalen Jones, Customer (azpbs.org)

“This is not the America that anyone wanted. No one in the GOP votes for this.”

— Kevin Skinner, Customer (azpbs.org)

“Welcome to Nazi America. We are there.”

— Matt McDaniel, Customer (azpbs.org)

“For every day that God will continue to bless, you bless the work that you sent your hands to and your families. They'll continue to bless this great country and keep his hand upon it and his presence throughout it so that we would know that we are all Americans.”

— Kristi Noem, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (azpbs.org)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow any of the arrested Zipps employees to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The Zipps raids have left the local community grappling with concerns about immigration enforcement, the fate of hardworking employees, and a lack of transparency from federal authorities. This incident highlights the broader tensions around immigration policy and its impacts on businesses and individuals in Arizona.