On Saturday, Dec. 6, a convenience store manager in Louisiana locked out a group of Border Patrol agents,denying thementry to the store.
Wayne Davis, who is assistant manager of the store in Kenner, was helping a customer when he noticed twounmarked SUVspull into the parking lot and stop at the front of the store.
After seeing agents wearingborder patrolvests exit the two vehicles, Davis locked the door from behind the counter as the agents approached, WWL Louisiana reported.
Video goes viral of Louisiana store manager who locked out Border Patrol agents
Theagentskept trying to open the door, looking at Davis through the store window in confusion. This is when Davis began recording, WWL Louisiana reported.
In the video, Davis is seen raising his middle finger to the agents outside before moving from his place behind the counter and standing at the entrance of the store.
From behind the store's closed door, Davis begins goading the agents lingering outside near the store's front.
"What do you want man, you want some chicken? You ain't getting it here... Go somewhere else, you ain't getting no chicken," Davis taunts.
After noticing Davis recording on his cellphone from within the store, one of the only agents seen without facial coverings turns his back to the door.
"Dang, you don't wanna show your face now?... I know you can hear me... Why you not showing your face? You wanted to show your face everywhere else," Davis provokes while still recording.
Davis told WWL Louisiana that, at this point, he realized the agent was Gregory Bovino, who is commander of Border Patrol and has been in New Orleans as part of Operation Catahoula Crunch.
"Bye, bye," Davis said facetiously while waving from behind the store's locked door as agents retreated back into their vehicles.
Davis is seen in the video raising his middle finger once more as the unmarked SUVS drive away and exit the parking lot
Can businesses refuse entry to Border Patrol agents?
Louisiana state law dictates interfering with immigration operations a felony offense, considering interfering actions an obstruction of justice.
However, businesses generally retain the right to refuse service to any person for any reason, unless that person belongs to a protected class, which immigration enforcement agents are not a part of.
Furthermore, if a business denies immigration enforcement agents entry, they cannot forcibly enter unless there is a judicial warrant signed by a judge, according to theACLU.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times:Kenner, Louisiana store owner denies Border Patrol agents
