Case Against Restaurant Manager Progresses

A federal judge ruled on Monday that Luis Miguel Campos Reyes, who manages Como Encasa and Opelika’s El Patron Restaurant, likely hired an undocumented worker.

The charges against Campos Reyes mirrored those against Isaac Fernandez Lopez, who also manages El Patron. However, the same judge had previously found no grounds to pursue charges against Fernandez Lopez.

The key distinction between the two cases lay in the evidence against Campos Reyes, which was enough to justify advancing the case. FBI Special Agent Matthew Nahas testified that an employee was arrested during an incident on July 15. The government also highlighted that Campos Reyes was a co-signer for the restaurant and delivered impressive financial results in early 2025, linking his responsibilities to employment matters.

Evidence suggesting that Campos Reyes engaged with undocumented immigrants was primarily centered around employment, notably one undocumented worker who claimed Campos Reyes as a reference.

In contrast, there was no similar evidence against Fernandez Lopez presented last week.

As the legal process unfolds, U.S. Magistrate Judge Chad Bryan is weighing whether Campos Reyes presents a risk to the community or if he should remain detained due to concerns about evading legal proceedings. The crux of the matter hinged on whether potential ICE detainees connected to Campos Reyes could inform Bryan’s assessment of his likelihood to appear at future hearings.

Ultimately, Judge Bryan decided that the issue of ICE detainees was not a factor in his ruling. He focused instead on Campos Reyes’s potential intentions regarding legal compliance. Noticing strong ties to the Auburn community, Bryan opted to release him, although a bond hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, and indications suggest ICE may detain Campos Reyes again.

According to sources, Fernandez Lopez remains in ICE custody despite the dismissal of criminal charges against him. Both managers have been living in the U.S. unlawfully since entering in 2006. Fernandez Lopez sought asylum in 2016, while Campos Reyes submitted his application in 2017. They both had their asylum requests denied and are awaiting the outcomes of their appeals. While appealing, they held valid work permits.

Despite the different handling of their cases, it appears both men may face a similar fate. They remain in detention and are now relocated to facilities in Louisiana, awaiting decisions on their appeals that could ultimately result in deportation to Mexico.

During the hearing on Monday, it was revealed that Campos Reyes’s wife, who also managed Como Encasa illegally, was deported to Mexico following her detention during the July incident. They have two daughters, aged 13 and 16, who are U.S. citizens. The girls have been staying with their godfather, Talia Martinez, who testified that Campos Reyes did not terminate employees during her time at the restaurant.