ICE Raids Prompt Nashville Restaurant Closures, Arrests

Kid Rock's Nashville restaurant, Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse, closed early on May 10 in response to rumors of ICE raids targeting undocumented workers, a step also taken by other restaurants owned by Steve Smith. The ICE operation in Nashville resulted in nearly 200 arrests, with reports indicating that over half of those detained had no criminal history, raising questions about ICE's enforcement priorities. Kid Rock publicly distanced himself from the restaurant's daily management but reiterated his support for ICE and legal immigration in line with Donald Trump's policies. The incident led to accusations of hypocrisy against Kid Rock and other conservative business owners whose establishments rely on undocumented labor. Kid Rock dismissed the backlash as clickbait and affirmed his support for accountability if illegal workers were hired. The episode underscores ongoing debates over immigration enforcement, labor practices, and political messaging in the service industry.