The Shift Change prepares bartenders for ICE encounters
Denver-based non-profit Escuelitas has partnered with Minneapolis bar Meteor to launch a US-wide campaign called The Shift Change Tour, which aims to educate people about deportation.
The campaign aims to tackle the impacts of the US government’s deportation campaign and increased immigration enforcement policies on the on-trade. According to organisers, these measures have impacted the mental health of workers and threatened the livelihood of many bars, even causing some to close.
Bartenders from Meteor have reportedly seen the biggest surge in activity to date, which led them to team up with Escuelitas. The non-profit educates, empowers and organises the hospitality community to protect its most vulnerable members and offers a constitutional rights course led by immigration attorneys.
“The past few months have been incredibly difficult for myself, my team and community, but we’ve also learned a lot and want to share our experiences,” said Meteor’s owner Robb Jones. “We’re good at making drinks and creating memorable experiences, so we figured this was a way we could help.
“Hospitality is about taking care of your community. This idea is something we think would be genuinely valuable, not only for current events but for the future as well. Being prepared to take care of your guests and your community when they need it most is something we should all want; this will provide the tools necessary to do that.”
The events
The Shift Change Tour is a multi-city engagement campaign intended to educate local communities on their constitutional rights and raise money and awareness for immigrants working in the hospitality community.
The 2026 tour kicks off in Chicago on 27 April, followed by dates in Milwaukee, Phoenix, Denver, NYC, New Orleans, Vancouver, Washington, and Portland in Oregon, with plans to add further dates and locations.
Each stop on the tour will feature two events.
The first is an industry-focused ‘lunch and learn’ educational seminar, where Tiffany Hernandez of Escuelitas will give a presentation on the constitutional rights of hospitality workers alongside a local immigration attorney and rapid response team representative.
The seminar will also cover best practices for bystander training, first aid and de-escalation techniques.
Bartenders from Meteor will share their experiences as a cocktail bar and offer suggestions for how individual markets can organise together.
The second event will see Meteor take over some of the nation’s most influential bars to raise funds and awareness for community relief efforts.
Confirmed bars taking part in the tour include Kumiko in Chicago, Bar Snack in NYC, Anna’s in New Orleans, The Elbow Room in Vancouver, Washington, Barcoa Agaveria in Phoenix, Mothership in Milwaukee, The Campground in Kansas City, and Bar Max in Denver.
Hernandez added: “With these trainings, we’re not only giving the hospitality community – which has been heavily targeted during this time – the confidence and courage to protect themselves and their people but also showing them how to protect democracy by practising it every day.
“By knowing what our constitutional rights are and where these agents lack jurisdiction, we are teaching people how not to be afraid when faced with the decision to meet the moment.
“That moment is here. We all have a role to play to turn this ship around, and the easiest way the hospitality industry can engage is by supporting causes like these, which have long-term effects.”
To attend the lunch event at Kumiko in Chicago on 27 April, RSVP here: https://sevn.ly/xFwUjw6t
For further events and updates, follow The Shift Change Tour on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiftchangetour/
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