Hispanic California Woman Threatens ICE on Mexican Food Stand, Then Breaks Down as Her Business Faces Backlash: ‘No Pity Whatsoever’

A California woman who recorded herself threatening to report a Mexican taco stand to ICE says the backlash online has endangered her cleaning business and family. Despite growing up in Mexico herself, Francesca Ortega accused the vendors in Stevenson Ranch of being “illegal migrants.” However, the post indicated that the taco vendors had the necessary permits for their business. 

The video of this incident was posted on X by @LongTimeHistory.

In the video, Ortega argues that the taco stand is hurting nearby businesses and complains about vendors operating in the area. “This affects the business. It affects the business around here that pays rent,” she says before threatening, “I swear to God, I’m gonna call ICE on you, you idiot.” 

She continues criticizing the vendors, calling them “arrogant” and claiming they do not care about regulations. Ortega later films from a distance and refers to the vendors as “illegal migrants” and “that piece of trash.”

The incident drew widespread backlash. In a separate emotional video, the California woman claimed that her 10-year cleaning business, Excellence Cleaning Sacramento, had been overwhelmed by negative reviews and harassment. 

“I have a small cleaning business called Excellence Cleaning Sacramento, and it’s completely ruined,” Ortega said while almost crying. She also claimed that people had found her family members and social media accounts and were threatening her. 

“I am afraid to go outside,” she said. “I’m really scared. I don’t know what’s gonna happen with my family, what’s gonna happen with my business.”

Ortega continued to defend herself in the emotional video, saying she was an “honest person” with an “honest business” and asking for help from the news media. She also blamed the backlash on her confrontation with what she described as “illegal criminals,” rather than appearing to retract her earlier comments. 

The video then included an older clip in which Ortega says, “I grew up in Mexico.”

Internet Reacts to California Woman’s ICE Threat Against Taco Vendors

The post drew a wave of comments about the threat and the crying videos. One commenter wrote, “Due to your fake tears and B grade acting, you don’t get a go fund me for your actions that led to your demise.” Another wrote, “No pity whatsoever for this arrogant piece of trash. She deserves everything coming her way.”

A third said, “She hasn’t learned a thing from her self-hating energy, let her luxuriate in that. She need harder lessons.” 

A fourth wrote, “She left her baby unattended in a stroller with her back turned so she can get in the face of ppl who were working and apparently had the correct paperwork. She is so determined to hurt others that she left her baby unattended.” A fifth added, “She thinks she’s better than others thats her down fall. I wouldn’t feel sorry for her if she got deported. She bought attention on herself.”

Related: California Worker Says Employer’s Payroll Mistake Drained His Savings and Left Checking Account at Negative $3,200: ‘They Robbed You’

The X post describes the vendors as operating with legal permits, while FOX 11 reported that it is unclear whether the taco stand holds the permit the City of Santa Clarita requires for sidewalk vendors. 

Ortega told the station she never meant to threaten anyone and got upset after a vendor photographed her license plate. “People say ugly things when they’re upset,” she told the outlet.