Federal authorities arrested 42-year-old Blademir Angulo Audeves, owner of several taco restaurants, this week on charges of harboring and employing undocumented immigrants, as part of Operation Take Back America, a national law enforcement initiative, official documents reveal.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Homeland Security Investigations began investigating Angulo in March following suspicions he was managing unauthorized labor at his establishments.
The complaint alleges he employed at least 12 individuals without legal authorization and harbored some of them at two properties in Laveen—his primary residence and a second home on 16th Avenue.
On July 8, investigators executed federal search warrants at Angulo’s taco shops, food truck, and residences. During the raids, agents found the undocumented workers and seized three firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from his bedroom closet.
Angulo, a Mexican national who previously voluntarily departed the U.S. in May 2021 and re-entered illegally later that year, faces multiple charges including harboring illegal aliens, knowingly employing unauthorized workers, illegal re-entry, and possession of firearms by an alien.
He was taken into custody without incident. Two of his employees, Christian Sagaste-Garcia and Jose Luis Ambriz-Cortes, were also arrested and charged with re-entry after being previously removed from the country.
If convicted, Angulo could face up to five years in prison. His initial court appearance is scheduled for July 15 before Magistrate Judge Alanis.
The operation was carried out in coordination with ICE, DEA, the Department of Public Safety, and local law enforcement. Prosecutors argue that targeting employers — not just undocumented individuals — aims to cut off the economic incentives fueling illegal immigration.
The aggressive enforcement strategy is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to hold employers responsible and reduce demand for undocumented labor. Supporters say it will prompt “self-deportation,” while critics warn that it could lead to labor shortages and further exploitation of undocumented workers .
