Fairview Bakery Refutes Viral Rumors of Immigration Enforcement Connections

Immigrant-Owned Bakery Refutes Allegations of Collaboration with Immigration Officials

A longstanding North Jersey bakery is fighting to clear its name after becoming the target of damaging social media rumors suggesting the business collaborated with federal immigration authorities during recent local raids.

“We would never, ever do that,” said Virginia Medina, 27, whose parents Jorge Medina, 67, and Evelyn Castallanos, 60, own Medina Bakery & Restaurant on Anderson Avenue in Fairview. The family has strong ties to the immigrant community, being immigrants themselves who arrived from Guatemala nearly three decades ago.

The bakery, a community fixture for years, noticed a concerning drop in business coinciding with increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Fairview and neighboring areas. It wasn’t until about three weeks ago that the family discovered the reason behind their declining customer base.

“People started sending screenshots of comments shared on social media, claiming that my siblings and I were conspiring with immigration officials,” Medina explained. The allegations have particularly stung the family, given their own immigrant background and longstanding commitment to supporting their community.

Jorge and Evelyn built their American dream from humble beginnings. After immigrating, Evelyn initially worked as a house cleaner while Jorge found employment in the ceramic and tile business. Through hard work and determination, they achieved citizenship, established their business, and raised eight children in nearby Cliffside Park.

“It’s concerning because before this whole situation with ICE and all the raids in our area, no one has ever heard such a rumor about us or our family or our business,” Medina said. “My parents have always helped out the community in every way, shape and form, whether it be financially, physically, or donating supplies or food to the schools.”

The timing of these allegations coincides with heightened immigration enforcement activities in northern New Jersey, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion within immigrant communities. Such environments can sometimes lead to misinformation spreading rapidly through social networks, with damaging consequences for targeted businesses.

In response to the allegations, Medina Bakery issued a formal statement on February 4th to address the situation directly. “As a family-owned business that has worked hard in this country for a better future for our children, we are deeply concerned by the rumors circulating on social media regarding the alleged involvement of our children with federal agencies,” the statement read.

The family categorically denied any collaboration with immigration authorities, emphasizing that neither the owners nor their children are “involved in such activities, nor are we cooperating in identifying or reporting individuals.” The statement also reminded community members about the potential harm caused by spreading unverified information.

The irony of the situation isn’t lost on the Medina family. Virginia noted that they previously demonstrated solidarity with the immigrant community by temporarily closing their business during immigration-related protests. “We could be taken any moment too,” Medina emphasized. “Just like everybody else.”

The situation highlights the complex social dynamics that can emerge in immigrant communities during periods of increased enforcement actions. Small businesses like Medina Bakery often serve as cultural anchors and gathering places for immigrant communities, making allegations of betrayal particularly damaging to both their operations and standing in the community.

Local immigration advocates note that rumors targeting immigrant-owned businesses can create unnecessary divisions at times when community solidarity is most needed. They emphasize the importance of verifying information before sharing potentially damaging allegations, particularly when livelihoods and reputations are at stake.

For now, the Medina family hopes their public statement will help restore trust with their customers and allow them to continue serving the community they’ve been part of for nearly three decades. As immigration enforcement actions continue nationwide, their experience serves as a reminder of the often-unseen social impacts these operations can have on immigrant communities and the businesses that serve them.